
Qzsj on d C/ 



Book 



lIL4^ 



/foi 



59th Congfress 

2d Session 



Y'V 



House of Representatives 



Document 
No. 251 



REPORT 



s-i:^' 



ON THE 



ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES 



BY 



EDWIN W. SIMS 

Solicitor of the Department of Commerce and Labor 



Augfust 31, 1906 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
1906 



LETT1;R OF TRANSMITTAL 



Department of Commerce and Labor, 

Office of the Secretary, 
WasJihKjfo))^ Deeernher 10^ 1906. 
Sir: 1 have the honor to transmit herewith the report of Mr. Edwin 
W. Sims, late solicitor of the Department of Commerce and Labor, on 
the Alaskan Fur-Seal Fisheries. 

On June 21, 1906, I directed Mr. Sims, at that time solicitor of the 
Department, to proceed to Alaska and investigate the conditions of the 
Alaskan fur-seal fisheries. Mr. Sims visited St. Paul, St. George, and 
Otter Islands of the Pribilof g-roup in Bering Sea, Unalaska and 
Kodiak islands, Sitka, and other places during the months of July 
and August and collected the information upon which this report is 
based. 

In addition to a historical resume of the industry and a discussion 
of recent raids by Japanese poachers, the report contains two appen- 
dices, the first giving statistical information reg'arding the Pribilof 
fur-seal herd from the discovery of the islands in 1786 to 1906, inclu- 
sive, and the second showing the probable increase of the herd in case 
there be a total cessation of pelagic sealing and a rational land killing. 
Respectfully, 

V. H. Metcalf, 

Secretai'y. 
The Speaker of the House of Representatives. 



0EC13 lyOb 
D.ofO. 



REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FDR-SEAL FISHERIES. 



Department of Justice, 
Office of the Solicitor of the 

Departmemt of Commerce and Labor, 

Washington^ AuguM 31^ 1906. 
Sir: I have the honor to advise you that in accordance with the 
terms of your letter of June 21, 190H, directing- me to investigate the 
conditions of the Alaskan Fur-Seal Fisheries, I visited St. Paul, St. 
George, and Otter islands of the Pribilof group in Bering Sea, Una- 
laska, Kodiak, Sitka, and other places in Alaska during- the months of 
July and August, and collected information bearing upon the subject 
to be investigated. I spent an entire week on the island of St. Paul, 
during- which time 1 personally visited all of the seal rookeries and 
witnessed several drives. 

As the result of my observation and investigation I have the honor 
to submit the following report: 

destruction of the seal herd by pelagic sealers. 

The Pribilof fur-seal herd is being rapidl}^ wiped out of existence 
as the result of pelagic sealing — the killing of seals in the water. The 
destructive effect of this method of taking seals has not been fully 
realized, and unless prompt measures are taken to stop it the entire 
herd will soon be annihilated. 

Estimates as to the number of seals in the Pribilof herd at the time 
this Government purchased Alaska vary from 2,000.000 to 7,000,000. 
The best estimate, in my judgment, is that it consisted of about 
4,000,000 seals. To-day the herd numbers less than 180,000 seals; 
in other words, there are fewer seals in the Pribilof herd to-day than 
there were in 1835, when the Russian Government felt impelled to 
adopt drastic measures to prevent its destruction. 

During the first twent}^ 3^ears of Am^'ican ownership it was at all 

times possible to secure 100,000 skins annually on the Pribilof Islands. 

From 1890 down to the present time the number of skins which could 

be obtained has steadily decreased. This season the lessee of the 

sealing privilege was unable to secure even the 16,000 skins which it 

was authorized to take. 

3 



4 REl'ORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 

lIEIfl) IS IN A MOST CRITICAL CONDITION. 

While it is true that the size of the herd has been steadily decreasing" 
for a number of years, 1 believe that its existence is more seriousl}' 
threatened at this time than ever before in its history. The herd is in 
a most critical condition. 

The high price paid for sealskins in the London market last year 
has not only led to renewed activity on the part of the Canadian seal- 
ing Heet, but is un(]uestionably responsible for the appearance in Ber- 
ing Sea this year of the largest fleet of Japanese vessels which has ever 
directed its operations against the Pribilof herd. Authentic reports 
arc to the effect that the Canadian fleet engaged in pelagic sealing the 
past season numbered upward of thirty vessels. Keports vary as to 
the size of the Japanese fleet, some placing it at thirteen and others 
at thirty vessels. Fleets of this size can not long prey on the already 
diminished herd without soon annihilating it. 

IMPORTANCE OF THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 

Since the purchase of Alaska in 1867 the United States has received 
a revenue from the lease of the sealing privilege on the Pribilof 
Islands of about 19,000,000- almost $2,000,000 more than it paid for 
all Alaska. In addition to this the Government annually collects a 
large sum in customs revenue on manufactui-ed sealskins which are 
reimported from London, where the}^ are sent in their raw state for 
treatment. The trade in skins taken on these islands l)v citizens of 
the United States since the puj'chase of Alaska aggregates more than 
$50,000,000. 

TREATIES AND LAWS VIOLATED BY PELAGIC SEALERS. 

From information furnished me during the course of ni}' investiga- 
tion, I believe that a part — at least five or six — of the vessels of the 
Canadian fleet this year continued their pelagic sealing operations in 
the vicinit}' of Sitka and at other points in Alaska during the months 
of May and June, in violation of Article II of the Articles of A^ward 
of the Paris Tribunal of Arbitration, establishing a yearly closed season 
from May 1 to July 31. 

The vessels of the Japanese flfeet not only took thousands of seals 
within the territorial waters of the United States surrounding the 
Pribilof Islands during the past summer, but during a period of two 
days — July 16 and 17 — the crews of four of the schooners committed 
a series of unlawful acts which terrorized the native inhabitants and 
injuriously disturbed the seal life on the rookeries of St. Paul Island. 
Raiding parties from three of these schooners actually landed on the 
island. One of the parties which landed killed 185 seals and got away 
with 120 skins before it was discovered. 



REPOKT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 5 

As a result of the raids, five of the poachers were killed while attempt- 
m^ to escape arrest, and twelve, including' two wounded, were cap- 
tured. Three small boats and some arms and paraphernalia for killing 
seals on land were also captured. The force protecting the islands 
sutlered no casualties, although it was subject to a ritie tire from the 
decks of a schooner anchored close inshore while making arrests on 
the second day. 

Before going into the details of the opei-ations of the Japanese seal- 
ing fleet during- the past season 1 shall at this point refer briefly to 
some general facts in connection with the Pribilof Islands and the seal 
herd, in order that you may more fully appreciate existing conditions. 

THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 

The Pribilof Islands, which are the home of the fur-seal herd which 
takes their name, were discovered in 1786 \)y Grerassim Pribilof, a 
navigator in the employ of one of the Russian trading companies. 
The}' are situated in Bering Sea, about 2,000 miles from Seattle by the 
most direct route. The group consists of St. Paul, St George, Walrus, 
and Otter islands, and Sea Lion Rock. They are completely isolated 
from other land, the nearest port being Unalaska, which is 214 miles 
to the southward. The islands are of volcanic origin, and are desert 
islands to the extent that they produce nothing capable of sustaining 
man. The island of St. Paul, which is the largest of the group, is 13^ 
miles long and 7* miles wdde and has a shore line of 45i miles. It 
has a population of 1(!8. 

St. George Island, which lies at a distance of about 40 miles south- 
east of St. Paul, is 12 miles long and 4^ miles wide, with a shore line 
of 30 miles. It has a population of 91. Otter Island, Walrus Island, 
and Sea Lion Rock are much smaller and are uninhabited. During a 
large part of the 3^ ear the islands and the surrounding sea are enveloped 
in a dense fog. There are no vessels on the islands capable of being 
navigated to the mainland or the nearest port, and the only time the 
residents come in touch with the outside world is when the North 
American Commercial Company's steamer calls there twice each ,year, 
and at irregular intei'vals when a revenue cutter chances to stop for a 
few hours. 

THE PRIBILOF FUR-SEAL HERD. 

The islands which I have just described are the natural retreat and 
the only breeding ground of the Pribilof or American fur-seal herd, 
which, even in its depleted condition, is the largest fur-seal herd in the 
world. 

The seals of this herd breed upon the islands of St. Paul and St. 
George during the summer, and annually, in the fall, leave them and 
proceed through Bering Sea and the passes between the Aleutian 



b REPOET ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 

Islands into the Pacific Ocean. Some of them go as far south as the 
Santa Barbara channel, off southern California. Generally speaking, 
this annual migration of the fur-seal herd may be said to commence in 
November, and by the latter part of December there are few, if any 
animals left on the islands. They remain away until the following 
spring, the first arrivals usuall}' appearing about the first of Ma}^ and 
the last the latter part of June or first of July. In the interval 
between their arrival in the spring and their departure in the fall the 
offices of reproduction are accomplished. 

Within a few hours after she arrives on the island the cow gives 
birth to her pup. Five or six days later she comes in heat and is 
served b}' the bull. As the females do not leave the island from the 
time they first land until after impregnation, it follows that all adult 
cows whenever found at sea are pregnant. During the period of about 
six months which the seals annually spend on the islands the females 
make frequent and regular trips to the feeding grounds about 150 
miles to the southward in Bering Sea. After feeding they go to sleep 
on the surface of the water, while the food they have taken digests. 
When rested, the}' return to the islands, where they nurse the pups. 
The female seal gives birth to one pup each year for probably ten 
years, commencing the third year of her existence. 

VARIATIONS IN THE SIZE OF THE HERD. 

At the time of the discovery of the islands by the Russians, fur 
seal, sea otter, walrus, sea lions, and foxes were found in almost 
unlimited numbers. The killing of all these species of animals pro- 
ceeded with wanton prodigality from the year 1786 until the 3^ear 
1835, when the fur-seal herd was reduced to less than 200,000. This 
shrinkage was caused by the indiscriminate killing of both males and 
females. A closed season was established on the islands from 1835 to 
1845-1850, during which period onlv such seals were killed as were 
necessary to furnish food and clothing for the natives. The killing of 
females on land was also discontinued after 1835 and was never again 
legally resumed. 

This resulted in a gradual rehabilitation of the herd, allowing an 
increasing number of young male seals to be taken each year from 1850 
until 1870, the date of the connnencement of the first lease of the seal- 
ing rights to the Alaska Commercial Company. From that year and 
during the twent}' years of this first lease 100,000 young male seals 
were killed ainnially for commercial purposes, and the skins marketed, 
with the exception of the years 1877 and 1883, when, owing to a glut 
in the market for skins, only 75,000 seals were killed. This reduction, 
however, was voluntary on the part of the lessee and was not the result 
of a lack of seals. 



EEPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUB-SEAL FISHERIES. 7 

METHODS OF SECURING SEALSKINS. 

The skins of seals for commercial purposes are secured in two ways: 
(1) By killing the seal on land; (2) by killing- the seal in the water — 
i. e,, pelagic sealing. 

1. The killing of seals on land is confined to the Pribilof Islands, is 
engaged in only by those who lease that right from the Government, 
and is limited to those surplus immature bachelors which may be taken 
without affecting the herd. The prohibition against the killing of 
females established })y the Russians in 1835 has been embodied in our 
laws and is always strictly observed. The character and number of 
the seals to be taken is determined by law and by the regulations of 
the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, and the operations of the 
lessee on the islands are subject to the direct surveillance of Govern- 
ment agents appointed for that purpose. The history of the herd con- 
clusivel}^ demonstrates that a rational and carefully regulated land 
killing is beneficial rather than detrimental to the herd. 

2. The killing of seals in the water — pelagic sealing — is engaged in 
by vessels owned and manned by the citizens of other nations and by 
Indians dwelling on certain of the coasts of the United States and 
Canada.-' It is a wantonly destructive method of securing furs. The 
Indians are allowed to take seals in canoes or undecked boats pro- 
pelled wholly by paddles, oars, or sails and not transported b}^ or 
used in connection with other vessels or manned by more than five 
persons. The vessels of other nations which engage in pelagic sealing 
are schooners ranging in size from 2.5 to 125 tons burden. Each 
vessel carries a crew of from 10 to 50 men, usuall}^ about 30, and 
carries from 5 to 20 boats or canoes. 

The schooner cruises about until she comes into sealing territory, 
when the small boats, which are usually manned by three men, are 
lowered. These boats scatter out in search of seals. Seals in motion 
are shot; seals asleep or resting on the water are usually speared. 
In the spring the pelagic sealers pick up the herd ofi^ northern Cali- 
fornia and follow it northward. In the summer they cruise around 
the feeding grounds in Bering Sea. The catch at this point is chiefly 
females which have come to feed and which, if unmolested, would 
return to the Pribilof Islands to nourish their young. One of the 
Japanese sealers of a part}^ which landed on St. Paul Island during 
the summer stated under oath that seven or eight out of every ten 
seals taken in Bering Sea by the schooner on which he belonged were 
females. 

Pelagic sealing was nominal from the 3^ear 1868 to 1880. From 
1881, however, when 10,000 skins were taken by pelagic sealers from 
the Pribilof herd this catch increased annually until 1894, when 61,838 

«See act of April 6, 1894, 28 Stat., 52, art. 8. 



8 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 

skins were taken. The pelagic catch for 1905 was 25,320 skins. The 
decrease in the pelagic catch from 181)4 down to the present time is 
due to a steady decrease in the size of the herd. The increase of the 
pehigic sealing- has had direct relation to the diminution of the number 
of seals on the rookeries, and the present low^ condition of the herd is, 
in mj'^ judgment, due solely to the killing of female seals at sea. The 
rational land killing of surplus, immature bachelors, which has been 
carried on under lease from this Government, has had nothing to do 
with the decrease in the size of the herd. 

THE KILLINC OF FEMALP]S A WANTON DESTRUCTION OF SEAL LIFE. 

The killing of female seals at any time or any place results in wanton 
destruction of seal life. Those females killed while the herd is on its 
way northward in the spring are pregnant, and each death results in 
the loss of two lives to the herd. Those females killed on the feeding 
grounds in Bering Sea in the summer and early fall are not onh^ preg- 
nant, but they have nursing pups on shore which die of starvation when 
the mothers fail to return. Each death thus results in the loss of three 
lives to the herd. In addition to this the skins secured by the pelagic 
sealer represents only about 50 per cent of those he has actually killed. 
The others sink and are not recoverable, or, when only wounded, 
escape and die later from their wounds. These facts, coupled with 
the knowledge that the pelagic sealer has since 1S90 secured almost 
twice as many skins as have been secured on the islands, fixes beyond 
question the cause of the depletion of the herd. 

TEKiVIS OF THE LEASE FROM THE GOVERNMENT. 

Since 1870 the exclusive right to engage in the business of taking 
fur seals on the Pribilof Islands has been exercised by American com- 
panies operating under lease from the Govermnent. From 1870 to 
1890 the right was exercised by the Alaska Commercial Company. At 
the present time the North American Commercial Company is the 
lessee under a contract which expires in 1910. Under the terms of 
this contract as construed by the United States Supreme Court (U. S. v. 
North American Commercial Co., 171 U. S., 110), the company pays 
at the rate of $10.22i for each skin taken. The Secretary of Com- 
merce and Labor determines by regulation the kind and number of 
seals to be taken each yeai and the method of killing. 

In addition to the sum paid the Government for each skin, the com- 
pany furnishes free to the natives on the islands dried salmon and salt 
and salt barrels for preserving a supply of meat, 80 tons of coal 
annually, comfortable dwellings and necessary schoolhouses which it 
keeps in repair, competent teachers and a free school for the education 
of the children eight months of the year, competent physicians, medi- 
cines and medical supplies, and the necessaries of life for the widows 
and orphans and aged and infirm inhabitants of the islands unable to 



REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 9 

provide for themselves. The company also employs the natives to 
perform, such work on the islands as they are fitted to perform at a 
compensation fixed from time to time by the Secrctar}^ of Commerce 
and Labor. 

THE TRIBUNAL OF AKBITKATIOX. 

As the result of certain differences which had arisen between Great 
Britain and the United States over the seizures of Canadian vessels 
and the efforts of this Government to protect the seal herd, these two 
nations, on February 29, 1892, concluded a treaty whereb}^ they agreed 
to submit the questions in dispute to a tribunal of arbitration. This 
tribunal, which concluded its labors in Paris in 1898, is usually spoken 
of as "'The Paris Tribunal of Arbitration,'' and its findings and award 
as "The Award of the Paris Tribunal." 

Generally si)eaking, the chief contentions of the United States 
before this tribunal were: (1) That Bering Sea was a closed sea, and 
(2) that it had a property right in the seal herd which justified it in 
protecting the ^eals on the high seas. The treaty also provided that 
in case the determination of the questions submitted as to the exclu- 
sive jurisdiction of the United States left the subject in such position 
that the concurrence of Great Britain was necessary to the establish- 
ment of regulations for the proper protection of the fur-seal herd, the 
arbitrators were to determine what concurrent regulations outside of 
the jurisdictional limit of the respective Governments were necessary 
and over what waters such regulations should extend.*^ 

The tribunal found that Bering Sea was not a closed sea, and also 
decided adversely to the United States on the question of its right to 
protect the seal herd outside of territorial waters. Accordingly, a set 
of regulations was adopted, the essential features of which were the 
establishment of a closed zone of 60 miles in Bering Sea about the 
Pribilof Islands and a closed season from May 1 to August 1, within 
which all sealing was prohibited. 

While the treaty of 1892 provides that "the high contracting 
parties engage to consider the result of the proceedings of the tribunal 
of arbitration as a full, perfect, and final settlement of all the (pies- 
tions referred to the arbitrators" (Art. XIV), it is in this connection 
worthy of note that the regulations, which were part of the award, 
provide in terms that they "shall be submitted every five years to a 
new examination, so as to enable both interested Governments to con- 
sider whether, in the light of past experience, there is occasion for 
any modification thereof" (Art. IX). 

THE MODUS VIVENDI. 

For the purpose of avoiding the irritating differences, and with a view 
to promoting the friendly settlement of the questions pending between 

a Article VII. 



10 REPOKT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL E'ISHERIES. 

the two (irovernments, an agreement was entered into on June 15, 1891, 
for a modus vivendi in relation to the fur-seal fisheries in Bering- Sea. 
By the terms of the modus vivendi, which remained effective until the 
award of the Paris tril)unal, the killing of all seals, with the exception 
of a limited number for the sustenance of the native inhabitants of the 
Pribilof Islands, was suspended. 

EXISTING LAWS AND TREATIES.'* 

The substance of existing laws and ti'eaties is as follows: The laws of 
the United States prohibit American citizens and sul)jects from kill- 
ing any seals at aii}^ time in the waters of the North Pacific Ocean and 
Bering Sea or on any land or in any of the waters of Alaska subject 
to the jurisdiction of the United States. Indians dwelling on the 
coast of the United States may, however, kill seals in the water under 
certain restrictions, and those persons or corporations operating under 
lease from the Government may kill seals on the Pribilof Islands. 
These are the only exceptions to an absolute and universal prohibition 
running against citizens and subjects of the United States. 

Now while that feature of these laws which prohibits Americans 
from killing seals in the open ocean — the waters of the north Pacific 
Ocean and Bering Sea — is not effective as again.-t the citizens and 
subjects of other nations, those provisions which absolutely prohibit 
the killing of seals on any land or in any water su])ject to the jurisdic- 
tion of the United States in Alaska is effective as against all the world, 
aliens as well as citizens. It follows, therefore, that with the excep- 
tion of the Indians and those operating under lease from the Govern- 
ment no person ma}' lawfully kill seals in Alaska or in Alaskan 
waters. 

Citizens and subjects of Grent Britain and of the Ignited States, in 
addition to being bound, in common with other people who come 
within the jurisdiction of the United States, to yield obedience to its 
laws, are subject to the award of the Paris tribunal. The articles of 
this award provide for a closed zone of 60 miles around the Pribilof 
Islands, within which the citizens of both countries are forbidden to kill 
seals at any time; provide a closed season from May 1 to August 1 
each 3' ear, during which the citizens of both nations are prohibited 
from killing seals in the waters of the north Pacific Ocean, including 
Bering Sea, north of the thirty-fifth degree of north latitude and east 
of the one hundred and eightieth meridian of longitude, till it strikes 
the water boundary between the United States and Russia; forbid tne 
use of firearms in Bering Sea, and include other minor regulations. 
Subsequent to the award American citizens were by the act of Decem- 
ber 29, 1897, denied the privilege accorded by the Paris award, and 
are now, as I have before indicated, absolutely forbidden to kill any 



«See vol. 3, Comp. Stat., p. 3003. 



EEPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 11 

seals at any time in the waters of the north Pacific Ocean or Bering 
Sea north of the thirty-tifth deoree of north hititude. This prohibi- 
tion does not, however, ran against Indians dwelling on the coast of 
the north Pacitic Ocean. 

So far as I am aware Great Britain is the only nation with which we 
have any treaty regulating the killing of seals from the Pribilof herd.« 
The legal situation may therefore be summarized as follows: 

American citizens, with the exceptions noted, and all others, are 
prohibited from killing seals in the waters of the north Pacific Ocean, 
or on any land, or in any of the waters of Alaska su])ject to the juris- 
diction of the United States. 

The subjects of Great Britain are prohibited from killing seals at 
any time within a zone of 60 miles surrounding the Pribilof Islands, 
and, during the closed season, from the 1st of May to the 1st of 
August, in those waters of the north Pacific Ocean above described. 

Citizens of all other nations may, therefore, kill seals at any time 
and at any place, excepting the land and water areas of Alaska subject 
to the jurisdiction of the United States. 

ST. PAUL AND ST. GEORGE A GOVERNMENT RESERVATION. 

The laws of the United States, for the purpose of protecting the 
seals on their breeding lookeries, declare the islands of St. Paul and 
St. George to be a special reservation for Government purposes,* on 
which no one, not even a citizen of the United States, ma}" land or 
remain except by the authority of the Secretary of Commerce and 
Labor, Any person found on either of the islands in violation of 
these laws is directed to be summarily removed, and it is made the 
duty of the Secretary of War to carry the direction into eft'ect. 

For some vears after they were made a Government reservation, the 
seal rookeries, which are located at widely separated points on the 
shores of St. George and St. Paul islands, were guarded l>y a detachment 
of United States soldiers. Since the withdrawal of this military guard 
the rookeries have been guarded by armed natives designated for that 
duty by the agent in charge. This guard is maintained each year dur- 
ing the period when the seals are present on the rookeries, and was 
being maintained at the time of the raids in July. 

The laws also prohibit the killing of any seals within the limits of 
Alaska or the waters thereof, and make it a separate offense to kill 
any seals in the waters adjacent to St. Paul or St. George, or on the 
beach, cliffs, or rocks of those islands, where they haul up from the 
sea to remain. Other provisions expressly prohibit the killing of 
female seals, and make it an offense to kill any seals at any time by 

« For terms of a modus vivendi with Russia respecting killing on the Asiatic side of 
the Pacitic, see 28 Stat., 1202. 

b R. S., 1959. Also sec. 176, act of March 3, 1899, 30 Stat., 1280. 



12 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES, 

the use of tirearms or by other means tending- to driv^e them away 
from the ishinds. The penalties for violations of these laws include 
fines rano-ing- from $200 to $1,000 or imprisonment, or both fine and 
imprisonment, for each offense. Provision is also made for the for- 
feiture of vessels whose crews are found violating- the laws. 

SUPERVISION AND CONTROL OF THE FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 

The law vests the supervision and control of the fur-seal fisheries in 
the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, and authorizes him to make 
all needful regulations to carry into full efl'ect all of its provisions. 
The management and supervision of the seal fisheries on the islands 
are exercised through agents which he is autliori/.ed to appoint, and 
who are charged with the performance of such duties as may l)e 
assigned to them by him. 

Existing- reguhitions promulgated by the Secretary of Commerce 
and Lal)or advise the agents that the only persons entitled to land on 
the islands are (jovernment officers, representatives and employees of 
the North American Commercial Compan}^, and duly accredited rep- 
resentatives of the Russian C'hurch, and authorize the agents to remove 
persons who endanger the peace and good government of the inhabit- 
ants of the islands. The reguhitions also authorize the employment 
of the natives in guarding the rookeries, and instruct the agents to take 
such action as sound judgment directs, in case of emergency. 

At the time of the raids on St. Paul dur-ing the past summer the 
affairs of the island were in charg^e of Mr. W. 1. Lembkey, chief 
agent, and Mr. James Judge, assistant agent. 

OPERATIONS OF THE JAPANESE FLEET. 
SEALS KILLED CLOSE TO THE PKIBILOF ISLANDS. 

The -Japanese pelagic sealing fleet which operated in Bering Sea 
during the summer consisted of at least K! vessels, each of which 
carried a crew of about 30 men, and from 5 to 7 small boats for 
sealing. It is evident from the number of vessels sighted from 
the islands that the entire fleet operated exclusively in the waters sur- 
rounding- the islands, and on many occasions killed seals within the 
3-mile limit. The seals which breed on these islands have been un- 
disturbed in the waters surrounding- them for many years, and they 
undoubtedly fell an easy prey to this unexpected onslaught. In view 
of this fact, and in view of the further fact that large numbers of 
breeding- females are continually passing from the islands to the feed- 
ing grounds about 150 miles southwest, and from there back to the 
islands, the seal herd has without doubt suffered a heavier blow as the 
result of the operations of this fleet during the past season than has 
been administered to it for many years past. 



KEPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 13 

Wholly aside from the fact that this fleet of vessels engaged in 
pelagic sealing at the very doors of a reservation which has been set 
aside by this Government for breeding purposes, the crews of some of 
the vessels engaged in a series of high-handed and outrageous depre- 
dations within the land and water territory of the United States which 
included repeated violations of express provisions of its laws. They 
used shotguns to kill seals in the water, and used cannon, probably 
for signaling. The reports of shotgun tiring and the boom of cannon, 
which were continuallv heard on the shore nearly all of two days, 
were so close as to disturb injuriously the rookeries. The crews killed 
seals in the water close to the shore, easily within the 3-mile limit, and 
landed on St. Paul Island. They killed seals on land, 1»5 per cent of 
which were females. At the time of these depredations the entire 
armament of the 38 men over '21 years of age on St. Paul Island con- 
sisted of 12 rifles. On the other hand, each schooner prol)ably carried 
a crew of more than 30 men. If the 1 schooners which were seen 
hovering around the islands on these days, and which were undoubt- 
edly acting in concert, had united their crews in a i-aid. they could 
have mustered a force of upward of 120 men. 

AGENTS POWERLESS UNTIL POACHERS LANDED. 

Without water craft the Government agents w^ere unable to do any- 
thing to stop the poachers from killing seals in the water, using fire- 
arras, and engaging in other unlawful operations within the 3-mile 
limit. It was only when the crews of the schooners landed, or attempted 
to land, on the islands that they were able to make arrests, and those 
of the Japanese who were killed belonged to parties w^hich were caught 
red-handed and were attempting to escape arrest. 

I have made the foregoing general statements at this point in order 
that you may appreciate the excitement and apprehension under which 
the residents of the island were laboring, and the courage the}' dis- 
plaj^ed when the crews of the schooners actually landed and attempted 
to transfer the scene of their depredations from the waters surround- 
ing the island to the island itself. A more detailed account of the 
raids on the rookeries on St. Paul Island, Jul}' 16 and IT, is as follows: 

LANDING OF JAPANESE POACHERS ON ST. PAUL ISLAND, JULY 16. 

About 9 o'clock on the morning of July 16 the native watchmen at 
Northeast Point, St. Paul Island, reported a schooner, about 2 miles 
out, sailing toward the shore. Upon the receipt of this information 
Chief Agent W. 1. Lembkey and Assistant Agent elames Judge, each 
accompanied by three or four natives, proceeded to a point on the 
shore from which the schooner could be seen. These agents and their 
parties then separated and concealed themselves at points where land- 
ings were feasible close to two of the principal breeding areas, and 



14 REPORT ON THE ALA8KAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 

about half a mile from each other. The schooner, which was easily 
seen by these parties, continued to cruise parallel with the shore at a 
distance of about 2 miles out until 10.30 a. m., when a small l)oat put 
off and approached within a half mile of the shore. 

This movement was evidently for the purpose of locating the seal 
rooker}^, for upon discovering- that there were no seals at that par 
ticular place the boat returned to the schooner and was taken about a 
mile farther on to a point opposite the breeding areas under Hutchin- 
son Hill, Avhere it again put off from the schooner and headed for the 
shore. The boat shortl}^ afterwards made a landing about 200 yards 
east of the large-;t breeding area on the island — that located under 
Hutchinson Hill — and a crew of six Japanese disembarked, pulled up 
the boat, and proceeded to cross the beach to the grassy plateau beyond. 

A few yards from the water's edge they were surprised by Chief 
Agent Lembkey and the native guard under his command, and in com- 
pliance with his order threw up their hands without resistance. In 
reply to an inquiry, one of the landing party, who spoke some English, 
stated to Mr. Lembkey that they had come ashore for water. It was 
obvious, however, after investigating the contents of the boat, that 
this statement was untrue. The only receptacle capable of containing 
water carried by the boat was a 5-gallon cask, which was full of fresh 
water. On the other hand, it was manifest from the presence of seal- 
ing clubs, skinning knives, and other paraphernalia for taking seals 
on land that the purpose of their visit was to raid the rookery. The 
men were accordingly placed in charge of a native guard and later in 
the day were taken to the village 12 miles distant on the other end of 
the island. The party effecting this capture consisted of Chief Agent 
Lembkey and three or four natives. The only arms of the Govern- 
ment agent's force were two riffes carried by the natives. 

The boat in which the raiders landed was taivcn charge of b}" the 
Government agents and is now in their keeping. It is of the Otter 
boat type, about 18 feet long, and, in addition to carrying six oars, was 
equipped with a mainsail and jib. The boat and its equipment is 
typical of the small boats usually cari-ied by the schooners engaged in 
pelagic sealing. The oars were muffled and the rowlocks wound with 
rope which was greased with tallow, so that the boat might be pro- 
pelled through the water without noise. The oars were fastened to 
the boat so that when suddenl}^ dropped they would not float away, 
and in front of each seat on both sides of the boat and within easy 
reach of the oarsmen was a canvas knife shield. The boat was also 
provided with a gun rack. When captured, it contained six sealing- 
clubs, two skinning knives, a compass, a cask full of fresh water, 
some ship's biscuits, a short sealing club for killing seals in the water, 
and bamboo poles with iron hooks for hauling them aboard. 



REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES, 15 

The seal rookeries at Northeast Point, where the raid was attempted, 
are the largest and most extensive on the island. A conservative esti- 
mate, based upon an actual count of seals on certain portions, places 
the total number of seals on these particular rookeries at the time of 
the attempted raid at 30,000. Of these 15,000 were females. 

During- the remainder of the day the schooner from which the boat 
put off continued to cruise around Northeast Point, sometimes close 
in shore and at other times farther out, but easily within the 3-mile 
limit many times. 

Upon my arrival at St, Paul Island, July 20, I examined, through 
an interpreter, the men captured as above described. They at that time 
stated that the name of the schooner from which they came was the 
Dai Ni Toyai Mam., i. e., Toyai Maru No. "2; that she carried a crew 
of 32 men, and had sailed from Hakodate, Japan, Ma\^ 20, 1906. 
They stated that she was not a pelagic sealer, and denied that she 
was one of a regular Japanese sealing fleet, but admitted that since 
entering Bering Sea she had spoken two or three other Japanese 
schooners, among which they named the Boso Maru. 

OTHER SCHOONERS SIGHTED JULY 16. 

At about the same time the Toyai Maru No. '2 was discovered off 
Northeast Point on the morning of July 16, another schooner was 
sighted at the south end of the island. She cruised off' the southwest 
part of the island within the territorial waters of the United States 
for about two hours. Reef rookery, the second largest breeding 
rookery on the island, is located at this point. No attempt was made 
to land, however, and the vessel finally disappeared in a fog to the 
southward. 

About 3 o'clock in the afternoon of the same day still another 
schooner was sighted cruising off' Halfway Point, which is on the 
south side of the island and about midway between the points where 
the other schooners were seen, A native guard was placed at this 
point for the night, but the vessel, which was about 1 mile from shore, 
was soon obscured b}^ the fog. Lukanin and Polovina rookeries are 
situated a short distance from where the schooner was seen. The 
reports of small arms and the boom of cannon tired a short distance 
from shore were heard on different parts of the island during the day. 

JAPANESE POACHERS KILLED BY NATIVE GUARD JULY 17, 

About 8 o'clock on the morning of July 17 the native guard at 
Northeast Point heard the report of shotguns, which were evidently 
being ffred at seals in the water a short distance from shore. The 
guards could not see more than a few 3'ards owing to a dense fog, and 
at that time were unable to make out an}" boats. One of the guards 
went inland to report to Agent" Lembkey at the watch house, and the 



16 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 

two reiiiaiiiing, Michael Kozloff and John Fratis, proceeded to a point 
on the shore opposite the tiring- and, concealing themselves, awaited 
developments. About iialf an hour later, during- whicH time the shot- 
gun firing on the water continued at irreg-ular intervals, the guards 
discovered three boats a short distance out headed for the shore. 
The one closest in contained three Japanese, one of whom occupied a 
position in the bow with a shotgun in his hands. 

After the occupants of the foremost boat had lowered the sails, and 
just as they were about to land on the beach, the two watchmen, who 
had remained concealed, appeared on the scene and shouted, ''Hands 
up!'*" The men in the boat instead of complying with this conmiand 
hurriedl}^ turned about and commenced to row the boat away from the 
shore. Guard Kozloff, who was in charge, motioned with his hands 
and called to them to come ashore, and when the boat continued on 
her way three rifle shots were fired in the water close to her. She^ 
did not stop, however, and the guards a few seconds later fired six 
shots in I'apid succession directly at the boat. Following this shoot- 
ing the men ceased to row and dropped into the bottom of the boat, 
and the boat slowly drifted in tow^ard shore. The two other boats had 
in the meantime disappeared in the fog. 

Chief Agent Lembkev, who arrived on the scene shortly after the 
shooting, recovered the boat and it was hauled up on the beach. Two 
of its occupants were dead and the other was suffering from a wound 
in the shoulder. 

The boat was of the .same type and equipment as tiie one captured 
the day before. Among other things it contained a quantity of food, 
fresh water, 2 loaded shotguns, and 146 loaded and 9 empty shells. 
Most of the loaded shells were charged with buckshot, although on 
subsequent examination some were found to contain a heavy lead slug 
like a rifle bullet. The shotguns showed evidence of having been 
recently fired. The boat also contained a seal which apparently had 
been killed with a charge of buckshot a short time before. 

I learned from the wourlded prisoner, whom I interviewed upon my 
arrival at the island, that the bo;it was not from the schooner whose 
boat had been captured the day previous, but was from another 
schooner— the Mei Maru. The prisoner further stated that the 
schooner carried a crew of 30 men, and had sailed from Hakodate, 
Japan, May 23, 1906. At the time the Japanese attempted to land, 
and when the shooting occurred as above described, the entire force 
on guard at that point consisted of two natives, each armed with a 
rifle. 

POACHERS OFF ZAPADNI ROOKERY FIRED ON. 

At Zapadni rookery, which is about 12 miles from Northeast Point, 
where the events just described took place, shotgun firing close inshore 
was heard at frequent intervals during the da}', and undoubtedly a 



EEPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 17 

larg-e number of seals were killed in the water. These operations 
were carried on under the protection of a dense fog, and it was not 
until 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when it lifted, that the native guard 
discovered three boats a short distance from shore. The boats con- 
tained about 18 men and were headed for land. The guards, two in 
number, who were evidently excited over the shooting which had been 
going on around them and who l)eliev'ed that the force, which greatly 
outnumbered them, was about to land and raid the rookery, opened tire 
without delay. The boats immediately pulled out of sight, and it is 
not known whether an}^ of the marauders were injured. 

POACHERS LAND AND KILL SEALS. 

Notwithstanding the capture of the boat on the morning of Tuesday 
Jul}' 17, the reports of shotguns evidently tired at seals in the water, 
were heard oti' different parts of Northeast Point almost incessantly 
during the da3\ The boom of cannon, proliably used for the purpose 
of signaling in the fog, was also heard at frequent intervals. The 
widely separated points at which these shots were heard indicates that 
several boats were thus engaged. A dense fog which hung over the 
island partially lifted about 8 o'clock p. m., and disclosed a schooner 
riding at anchor less than 300 yards from the breeding rookery on the 
west side of Northeast Point. Although the watchmen failed to dis- 
cover it, owing to the fog, 18 or 20 men had landed and were at that 
time killing seals on the rookery close to the water at a point where 
their operations could not be seen farther inland. 

The presence of the schooner was immediately reported to the watch- 
house, and Chief Agent Lembkey and Assistant Agent Judge, at the 
head of a force of about fifteen natives, hurried to the scene. In the 
meantime the raiders, who had evidently been warned of the approa(;h 
of the native guai'd by an outpost, hurriedly collected the sealskins 
already taken and embarked in their boats, and when the guard arrived 
at the shore they were alreadj^ a few 3^ards off and rowing for the 
schooner. Upon their refusing to come ashore, in compliance with an 
order given b}^ the Government agents, the native guard was directed 
to fire. This fire was returned from the deck of the schooner, but no 
one of the island guard was injured. The boats soon came to a stop 
and the order was given to cease firing. 

The raiding force consisted of a flotilla of five small boats contain- 
ing about 20 men. It appears that two of the boats were being 
used to carry away skins. The force under the Government agents 
consisted of 15 natives, only 6 of whom were armed. 

As the boats drew in shore and it became apparent that the raiders 

outnumbered the native force, Agent Judge concluded that it would 

be dangerous to attempt to capture the entire party with a force armed 

with only six rifles. In consequence of this the crew of only one of 

H.Doc. 251, 59— 2 2 



18 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 

the small boats were allowed to land, and the remaining boats were 
motioned ofi' and returned to the schooner, which still remained at 
anchor a short distance from shore. Had the devastation which the 
raiders had wrought on the rookery been known at this time, none of 
the boats would have been permitted to return to the schooner. 

The boat which was compelled to return to shore contained six men, 
one of whom was dead and one wounded. The body of one man, who 
had evidently fallen overl)oard when he was shot, floated off and was 
not picked up by the boats. It is believed that the body of a third 
was thrown overboard when the boats reached the schooner. The 
boats of the raiding flotilla were of the same general character as 
those previously captured and which I have heretofore described in 
detail. 

METHODS OF RAIDERS OUTRAGEOUS AND CRUEL. 

Upon making an examination of the rookeries at the point where 
the small boats were first seen, the Government agents discovered 
that the raiders had practically wiped out of existence one section of 
a breeding rookery. More than 183 seals had been killed. Of this 
number, 120 had been skinned and the skins loaded into the boats, which 
had unwittingly been permitted to return to the schooner. It was 
apparent that the raiders had been frightened away in the midst of 
their raid, because 63 dead and wounded seals, some partially skinned 
and others untouched, were found. That part of the rookery which 
was raided was what is known as a breeding rooker}' and was occu- 
pied by several hundred female seals, new-born seal pups, and a few 
breeding bulls. Bachelor or young male seals do not frequent these 
breeding grounds. 

All of the seals killed, with the exception of two, were females. 
When it is remembered that the killing of female seals is universally 
condemned, was prohibited by the Russians as early as 1835, and has 
never been permitted by this Government, the fact that over 95 per 
cent of the seals killed on the island by the marauders were females 
stands out as especially malevolent. 

The raid was not only in violation of law, but the method of killing 
proceeded along the most cruel and inhuman lines. At this season 
of the year female seals have nursing pups and are also pregnant. 
Thus the killing of a female results in the loss of three lives to the 
herd. While an actual count had not been made before I left the 
island, it is estimated that at least 180 pups died of starvation as a 
result of the raid. 

Some of the seals were only stunned and not killed before being 
skinned. Upon their arrival at the scene shortly after the raid, the 
Government agents found that some of the 63 seals which had been 
clubbed by the raiders, and which had been partially skinned, were 
not yet dead. 



REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 1^ 

It also appears that the raiders had been unable to drive away or 
kill with their clubs some of the larc^e breeding- bulls, which stood 
their ground in an effort to protect the rookery, and in order to ren- 
der them harmless the raiders had pounded out their e^^es with sealing 
clubs. When the Government agents and natives reached the scene 
these sightless old fellows still maintained their guard of the rookery. 
These, as well as the other seals which had been maimed bej^ond hope 
of recovery, were soon put out of misery by the natives. About 20 
sealing clubs and 4 sealing knives were found on the rooker}^ after 
the raid. 

It appears, therefore, that so far as is definitely known on the islands 
the occurrences above described resulted in the death of 5 of the raiders, 
the wounding of !2, and the capture of a total of 12 prisoners, includ- 
ing those wounded. The prisoners, in compliance with an order of 
the Government agent, buried their dead on Hutchinson Hill on the 
afternoon of July 18. The w^ounded were early given medical atten- 
tion by Dr. F. B. Smith, the physician on the island. 

On the evening of July 18 a schooner was sighted off Northeast 
Point, but the Japanese prisoners, who were given an opportunity^ to 
examine her through the glasses, seemed to be unable to identify her. 

DISPOSITION OF THE CAPTURED RAIDERS. 

I arrived at St. Paul Island in company with Hon. George M. 
Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, on the afternoon of JuW 20, 1906, 
on the revenue cutter McCiillocli^ Capt. J. C. Cantwell commanding. 
The Government agents and the natives were very anxious to get rid 
of the prisoners, and they were at once turned over to the McCulloch^ 
which proceeded to Unalaska. At that place the 10 uninjured men 
were turned over to the deput}" United States marshal, and the wounded 
men, who had been placed under the care of Dr, T, B. McClintic, 
were retained on the cutter. 

The prisoners were again taken on board the cutter on Jul}" 31 and 
carried from Unalaska to Kodiak, where a preliminary hearing was 
had before United States Commissioner Fred D. Kelsey. As a result 
of this hearing they were held to the grand jury and were turned over 
to the custody of United States Marshal L. L. Bowers, at Kodiak, for 
delivery at Valdez. Chief Agent W. I, Lembkey and the native 
Avitnesses then proceeded to Valdez. 

I have since been advised that all of the prisoners were indicted by 
the grand jury at Valdez and, as a result of subsequent proceedings, 
each of them was sentenced to imprisonment for three months in the 
Valdez jail. While the punishment meted out to the raiders is hardly 
commensurate with the outrageous character of their acts, still it must 
not be forgotten that they were merely seamen who, according to 
their own statements, went ashore in compliance with the orders of 
their superior officers. 



20 REPOKT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 

MANY SCHOONERS SIGHTED NEAR ST. PAUL ISLAND. 

During the week I spent on St. Paul Island schooners were fre- 
quentl}" seen. On Jul}^ 23 one was sighted cruising about 5 miles to 
the southeast; on July 24, at 2 p. m., one was seen about the same 
point, and at 7 o'clock in the evening another was sighted sailing less 
than 2 miles from shore off the salt house at Northeast Point, which at 
that time contained 8,700 skins. She was standing in toward shore 
when sighted, and the regular guard of four natives was doubled. On 
this day a guard of armed natives was also placed at Zapadni rookery. 
On July 26 a schooner was seen off Zapadni Point in the morning and 
another off Northeast Point in the evening. 

As the McCalloch was leaving the island on the morning of July 27, 
the fog lifted and disclosed a schooner Ij'ing to about 2 miles froai 
Walrus Island. The cutter at once gave chase, but the schooner put 
on all sail and headed for a fog bank, in which she was soon lost to 
sight and escaped. On the afternoon of the same day the cutter over- 
hauled another schooner, the ToMwa Marii. She was outside the 
3-mile limit, however, and as there was nothing to indicate that she 
had participated in the recent raids, she was not even spoken by 
the cutter. 

Since my return I have been advised that schooners were frequently 
seen in the vicinity of the islands during August, and that on the 8th 
of August a watchman on St. Paul Island saw a schooner make a land- 
ing on Otter Island. At the time I visited Otter Island, in the latter 
part of July, there were only a few seals there. I am informed, 
however, that later in the season the number of seals on this island 
inc;reases and that more than 1,000 seals have been found there on 
occasions. 

RAIDS EVIDENTLY PLANNED IN ADVANCE. 

It is evident that the four schooners seen around St. Paul Island on 
the days of the raids were acting in concert in pursuance of plans care- 
fully laid previous to their departure from a Japanese port. At least 
three of these schooners sailed from the same port in Japan about the 
same time. They spoke each other after arriving in Bering Sea, and 
appeared off widel}' separated points of the island about the same time. 
It is improbable that these coincidences were accidental. 

GOVERNMENT AGENTS ENTIT[.ED TO CREDIT. 

Chief Agent W. I. Lembkey and Assistant Agent James Judge are 
entitled to great credit for the intelligent and courageous way they 
handled what in my judgment was a dangerous and difficult situation. 
The native guards also demonstrated that they could be relied on in 
case of emergency, and are entitled to credit for the splendid support 
they gave the Government agents. 



EEPOET ON THE ALASKATST FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 21 

The Russian as well as the American islands have always been 
looked upon with envious eyes by the pelagic sealers. The Govern- 
ment ag-ents knew that the year previous the crews of schooners, act- 
ng in concert, had effected a landing on the Russian seal islands and 
had held off the armed guard at least two weeks, during which time 
both sides suffered many casualties and many seals were killed. 

At the time of the raids the entire male population of 8t. Paul 
Island, including the two Government agents, the company's repre- 
sentatives, and all the natives over 21 3^ears of age, was 38. The com- 
bined crews of the schooners which appeared off' the island greatly 
outnumbered this force, and had they once gained a foothold there was 
nothing to prevent their killing an unlimited number of seals, robbing 
the salt houses, committing other depredations, and sailing away. 

Knowledge of these facts, coupled with an appreciation of their 
helplessness and inability to stop the unlawful killing of seals in the 
water a short distance from shore, undoubtedly^ prompted the Gov- 
ernment agents to take summary action when the marauders landed 
and attempted to transfer their operations from the water to the land. 
Manifestly the situation was one which called for such action. 

While neither the law nor the regulations in terms direct the agents 
to use force in protecting the rookeries, their duty and authority so 
to do is beyond question. They are sent to the islands for the pur- 
pose, among other things, of enforcing the laws; are supplied with 
arms and anuuunition, and are authorized to employ the natives in 
guarding the rookeries. They were familiar with the fact that poach- 
ing vessels had been seized b}' the agents and revenue cutters on pre- 
vious occasions, and that on at least one occasion the native guard had 
fired on the crew of a vessel which attempted to raid the rookeries. 

The unlawful killing of seals within the territorial waters surround- 
ing the islands, the landing on St. Paul, and the commission of other 
depredations, such as those of the past summer, can undoubtedly be 
prevented by the establishment of an active revenue-cutter patrol. 
It is imperative, however, if the seals are to be protected on their 
rookeries, that a closer and more continuous surveillance of the waters 
surrounding the islands be maintained permanently in the future. 

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 
RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO REVENUE-CUTTER PATROL. 

The patrol maintained by the vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service 
has for a number of years past consisted largely of cruises around the 
60-mile zone in Bering Sea. The vessel detailed on this duty does not, 
under ordinary circumstances, reach the sea until a])out the 1st of 
August, that being the time vessels of the Canadian fleet are per- 
mitted, by the terms of the award of the Paris tribunal, to enter those 



22 HEPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUE-SEAL FISHERIES. 

waters. The nominal purpose of the patrol is to prevent the vessels 
of the Canadian fleet from sealing inside the 60-mile zone. I recom- 
mend that tliis patrol be reorganized along the following lines. 
. One of the important provisions of the award is that which forbids 
the citizens and subjects of Great Britain and the United States to 
kill, capture, or pursue in Siwy manner whatever, during the season 
extending each year from the 1st of May to the 31st of July, l)oth 
inclusive, fur seals on the high seas in the North Pacific Ocean or 
Bering Sea." At that time the females are heavy with young and the 
herd is proceeding northward along the Pacific coast and through the 
Aleutian passes to Bering Sea and the Pribilof Islands. It is a most 
humane provision and should be strictly enforced. I am convinced, 
however, from the reports I received while in Alaska, that at -least 
five or six Canadian schooners failed to bring their operations to a close 
on the 1st of Ma}^ last. 

In view of these facts I recommend that a revenue cutter be required 
to cruise along the coast of Alaska, from the 1st of May until the 
middle or latter part of June, along the route known to be taken by 
the seal herd. It is possible to ascertain with a reasonable degree of 
certainty the general location of the herd at that time of the year. 
The pelagic sealers know where to find the seals and how to follow 
them up. The cutter detailed on this patrol should also secure that 
information and pursue the same course as that pursued by the pelagic 
sealers — that is, in a general way to follow up the herd. 

It also developed during the course of my investigation that it is 
the practice of the vessels of the Canadian fleet to cruise in the waters 
of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea before the closed season 
comes to an end, in order that they may be on the ground at the time 
it opens. It has been persistently reported that some of these vessels 
do not wait until the season opens before commencing operations. I 
therefore reconnnend that the vessel which has been engaged in fol- 
lowing the herd northward along the coast from the 1st of May, cruise 
around the Aleutian Islands, both outside and inside of Bering Sea, 
during the month of July. 

This vessel should then be required to maintain the usual patrol 
around the confines of the 60-mile zone from the 1st of August until 
such a time as the vessels of the Canadian fleet cease their operations 
and leave the sea. 

From my knowledge of the situation I })elieve it to be entirely pos- 
sible for one vessel to maintain the patrol :is al)ove outlined. 

AN ADDITIONAL PATROL SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED. 

In addition to the foregoing I recommend that a vessel of the Rev- 
enue-Cutter Service be directed to patrol the waters of Bering Sea in 

a 3 Comp. Stat., p. 3005, art. 2. 



EEPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 23 

the vicinity of the Pribilof Inlands continuall^y from the 1st of June 
to us late in October as the weather permits, or as the pelagic sealing 
fleet of an}^ nation other than Great Britain is in those waters. This 
vessel should cruise close to the islands, and should be required to 
call at each island not less than once every two weeks for the pur- 
pose of securing from the agent in charge information as to the num- 
ber and character of vessels sighted from the islands during the time 
it has been cruising elsewhere. 

The vessels engaged on the patrol should ])e required not only to 
cooperate with the chief agent of the seal fisheries, but to transport 
him to points in Alaska, to the various islands of the Pribilof group, 
and to comply with such other requests as he ma}^ find it necessary to 
make in connection with the discharge of his duties. 

OFFICERS SHOULD MAKE DETAILED REPORTS. 

The officers of these vessels should also make a detailed annual 
report to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. This report should 
contain information as to the date the patrol is commenced; the course 
or route of the vessel; the number of days, exclusive of those spent in 
port, that the vessel was on the patrol; the number of times it called 
at the seal islands, and the time the patrol came to a close. 

In view of the fact that one or more vessels of the Revenue-Cutter 
Service have for j^ears been engaged on the seal patrol, the carrying 
out of the foregoing recommendations will not entail any considerable 
additional expense on the Government. 

RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO STRENGTHENING THE LAWS. 

The laws for the protection of the seal fisheries are in a very unsatis- 
f actor}' condition, and in my judgment are insufficient to meet exist- 
ing conditions. As they now stand they consist of disconnected and 
w holly unrelated provisions which have been enacted at different times 
to meet emergencies, and, as some of the later provisions modify or 
constructiveh' repeal some of the earlier provisions, there is consider- 
able room for confusion and doubt. It is highly desirable that all of 
the laws with reference to the seal fisheries be embodied in one com- 
prehensive act, and that existing provisions be strengthened and sup- 
plemented in the following important particulars: 

The law should expressly set aside all of the islands of the Pribilof 
group avS a special reservation for Government purposes. As it now 
stands, it in terms includes only the islands of St. Paul and St. George, 
in consequence of which there is grave doubt as to the status of Otter 
Island, Walrus Island, and Sea Lion Rock. Thousands of seals fre- 
quent Sea Lion Rock, and some seasons a considerable number resort 
to Otter Island. The islands referred to are only a few miles from 
the island of St. Paul, the largest of the Pribilof group, and it is 



24 EEPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 

essential that they be included in all laws enacted for the protection 
and preservation of the seal herd. 

It should in terms be declared unlawful for aliens, as well as citizens, 
either to enter the territorial waters surrounding the islands or to 
land on the islands themselves without ])ermits so to do from the 
Secretar}^ of Commerce and Labor, except in cases of stress of weather 
or for water. Vessels entering the waters for these excepted purposes 
should, however, be required to approach the islands at the villages 
and "not attempt to land at isolated portions of St. Paul or 8t. George 
islands where are located the principal breeding rookeries. Landings 
on the uninhabited islands of the group should also be prohibited. 

Those provisions which make it unlawful for any person to kill seals 
in the water or kill seals by the use of firearms or by any means tend- 
ing to drive the seals away from the islands, or to kill female seals, 
should be strengthened and continued in force. No person, of course, 
except those operating under lease from the Government, should be 
permitted to kill seals on land. 

AUTHORITY OF GOVERNMENT AGENTS SHOULD BE EXTENDED. 

The Government agents on the islands should, under the direction 
of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, be charged with the enforce- 
ment of the law and expressly authorized to use force in carrying its 
provisions into effect and in protecting the rookeries, including the 
right to make arrests. Thev should also be expressly authorized to 
designate, arm, and maintain a native guard to assist them in preserv- 
ing order, enforcing the law, and in making arrests. 

The chief agent on the island should be empowered to take action in 
case of violations of the seal laws similar to that taken by United States 
commissioners in case of violations of laws of the United States; that 
is to say, he should be authorized to conduct hearings and bind over 
to the grand jury, or commit, pending investigation, persons arrested 
for the violation of those laws. 

Owing to the isolated situation of the islands it is highly desirable 
that some person have authority to conduct an ofhcial investigation on 
the ground where witnesses are available in cases of arrest similar to 
those which were made during the past summer. 

The act should also contain a provision making it an offense to 
attempt to do any of the things declared to be unlawful. The penal- 
ties for violations of the laws should be more severe, and it should be 
made the duty of the officers of vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service 
and of the Navy to search any vessel found within the territorial 
waters surrounding the islands. 

Authority should also be given to seize and forfeit any trespassing 
vessel found within these waters with seals or sealskins and the para- 
phernalia for taking or capturing the same. 



REPOET ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 25 

LACK OF PROPER ARMS AND AMMUNITION. 

I also recommend that the Department give early consideration to 
the matter of placing- at the disposal of the agents on the islands a proper 
supply of arms and ammunition. Aside from a small brass cannon 
used for signaling and a few rifles owned by the nativ^es, the entire 
equipment available for use in protecting the seal rookeries and the 
villages and salt houses on the islands, consists at the present time of 
12 rifles on St. Paul and 6 on St. George. 

It is obvious that under existing circumstances it would be entirely 
possible for the combined crews of four or live schooners, such as 
cruised around the islands during the past summer, or for a crew of 
pirates, such as that on the Carmencita^ which hovered around the 
islands last year, to land and not only raid the rookeries but plunder 
the village and salt houses, where are stored vahiable skins. 

Unless they are furnished with the proper arms, the handful of people 
on these islands can not reasonably be expected to successfully guard 
seal rookeries worth millions of dollars, which the lawless crews of 
a score of poaching schooners are ever ready to raid. All the world 
knows that the United States owns the Pribilof Islands, and that in the 
exercise of its sovereign power and for the purpose of preserving the 
seal herd which frequents those islands it has enacted laws making it 
unlawful for any person to land or remain thereon, and all the world 
should be given to understand in unmistakable terms that vessels which 
approach within the 3-mile limit do so at their peril. 

RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO ARMS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT. 

In view of the foregoing, I urgently recommend that the islands of 
St. Paul and St. George be equipped with a sufficient number of small 
cannon to permit the placing of one or more at the various points of 
landing and in the vicinity of the principal seal rookeries. To avoid 
all danger of international complications, the cannon supplied may very 
properly be limited to guns tiring a solid shot and having a maximum 
range of 3 miles or less. Each island should also be equipped with 
one or more rapid-fire guns for use in case of an attempt by a landing 
part}^ to plunder the salt houses or the villages. The supply of rifles 
and ammunition should also be increased. 

1 found on investigation that those interested in pelagic sealing keep 
themselves well posted on the measures taken b}^ this Government to 
enforce its laws and regulations and the provisions of treaties with 
other nations. They are, for instance, not slow, as has been demon- 
strated by the events of the past summer, to take advantage of the unpro- 
tected condition of the seal islands. In view of this fact, I believe that 
if it became known that vessels coming within 3 miles of the Pribilof 
Islands were liable to be tired upon, pelagic sealers would on all occasions 



26 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 

give those islands a wide berth. Further than this, it must be remem- 
bered that the vessels which frequent these waters are engaged at our 
very doors in a practice forbidden to our own citizens and frowned upon 
by our laws — that of pelagic sealing. I can see no reason why any special 
consideration should be shown them. Vessels engaged in legitimate 
business do not frequent these waters. No one goes there for pleas- 
ure, and commercial steamers never call, as the islands are more than 
60 miles out of their course. 

It is also highly desirable that the Government agent in charge be 
furnished with a gasoline launch of sufficient size to permit of the 
mounting of a light gun. A vessel of this kind would be of material 
assistance in preventing the crews of poaching schooners from using 
firearms and killing seals in the water within the 3-mile limit. 

The agents on St. Paul Island should also be supplied with a team 
of horses and a light wagon, and the necessar}' equipment for main- 
taining the same. The native village is located on the southern 
extremity of the island at distances ranging from 3 to 14 miles from 
the various rookeries. Without means for rapidly transporting the 
agents and native guard from the village to these distant rookeries, it 
is entirely possible for a boat's crew to land and raid a rookery before 
the Government agents can reach the spot and stop their operations. 

MILITARY GUARD NOT NECESSARY. 

I do not believe it is either necessary or desirable to station a marine 
or military guard on the islands. If the Government agents and native 
guards are supplied with the necessary arms and ammunition, they 
will without doubt be able to meet any emergency which may arise. 
This was conclusively demonstrated by the events of the past summer. 

DUTIES OF CHIEF AGENT SHOULD BE EXTENDED. 

I also recommend that the chief agent, at least once each season, 
visit all of the seal islands, examine into the conditions, and make full 
report thereof in person to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor at 
the close of the season. He should also annually investigate and 
report on the catch of seals bv the coast Indians of Alaska. Under 
existing conditions it is impossible for the chief agent to do any of 
these things, and, in the regular course of events, he comes to Wash- 
ington only every other winter. This is due to the fact that the pres- 
ent force Consists of but one chief agent and three assistant agents. 
At least one assistant agent should be added to the force. 

The nature of the duties of these agents is such that at least two 
agents should be present on each island during the summer, and at 
least one agent during the remainder of the time. It is imperative 
that at least one agent be present continually on St, Paul and one on 



REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. • 27 

St. George. Under these circumstances the chief agent, in addition 
to supervising and managing the fisheries, must discharge the duties 
of one of the assistant agents. It is therefore impossible for him to 
properly supervise the work on any island other than the one on which 
he is located. It is also impossible for him to report to and confer 
with the Department at Washington each year, which, in my judgment, 
is essential. I recommend, therefore, that an additional assistant agent 
be appointed, and that the duties of the chief agent be enlarged as 
above indicated. 

KILLING OF SEALS BY COAST INDIANS SHOULD BE REGULATED. 

Notwithstanding the fact that a large number of seals are killed an- 
nually by the coast Indians of Alaska, that branch of the sealing industry 
has received little attention at the hands of the Government. I recom- 
mend that it be investigated with a view to its regulation and supervi- 
sion. The Department should be advised of the niethods of killing 
and the disposition of the skins. In this connection I also suggest 
that the collectors and deputy collectors of customs in Alaska be 
directed to report annually in the fall to the Department such infor- 
mation with reference to the taking of seals as may come into their 
possession during the year. They should also furnish detailed infor- 
mation as to all shipments of skins. 

IMPORTANCE OF PREVIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO PELAGIC SEALING. 

In your last annual report you made the following statement and 
recommendation: "The decrease in seal life on the Pribilof Islands is 
directly attributable to pelagic sealing, and a strong effort should be 
made to secure international regulations which will stop it." The 
existing condition of the seal herd conclusively demonstrates the cor- 
rectness of your statement and the wisdom of 3"our recommendation. 
I am convinced, as a result of the stud}- I have given the subject and 
the investigation made during the past summer, that the total cessation 
of pelagic sealing is imperative in order to preserve the herd. 

DECREASE IN SEAL LIFE DUE SOLELY TO PELAGIC SEALING. 

That the decrease in seal life on the Pribilof Islands is due soleh^ to 
pelagic sealing can not seriously be questioned. "'Owing to the polyg- 
amous habit of fur seals," states the report of the eJordan Commis- 
sion, " the greater part of the male life born is supertluous for breeding 
purposes. For the 130,000 breeding cows found on the rookeries of 
St. Paul and 8t. George islands in the season of 1897, 4,418 bulls were 
adequate, or at least out of fully 10,000 bulls ready and willing to 
serve harems only this number were able to obtain them. Therefore, 
only 1 bull in 30 is absoluteh" necessary under present conditions. 



28 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 

That this limit could be materiall}' lowered without positive danger to 
the herd is conclusively shown by the history of the Russian herd on 
Bering- Island, where the observations of the past three years, as 
detailed by Doctor Stejneger, show that a male fur seal is capable of 
attending to the wants of between 100 and 200 cows."" 

There never has been a time since this Government came into con- 
trol of the herd when there were no idle bulls on the islands. It is 
nianifest, therefore, that the decrease in the herd is due- to the killing 
of females, which are taken only by pelagic sealers. The number 
of idle bulls present on the island is a matter which has alwa3^s been 
carefully watched. Three years ago, when it became apparent that 
there was a decrease in idle bulls, the Department established regula- 
tions whereby 2,000 choice 2 and 3 year old males were selected, 
branded, and dismissed from the herd for breeding purposes before 
the company commenced taking its quota for commercial pui"poses. 
This action was not due to an entire absence of idle bulls, but was 
taken solel}' because thejiwere decreasing in numbers. Furthermore, 
the result of the regulation is already apparent, and as soon as the 
seals thus reserved reach the breeding age the number of idle bulls 
on the island will have again reached a safe margin. 

UNNECESSARY AND INEXPEDIENT TO STOP LAND KILLING. 

Regardless of whether the Government concludes to again lease the 
sealing privilege oi- to itself conduct the sealing industry, it is mani- 
fest that the land killing of seals should not be stopped. It is neither 
necessary nor expedient. It is unnecessary for the reason that there 
is no abnormal shortage in male seals which are killed on land, and it 
is not expedient for the reason that if no Alaskan fur-seal skins 
are secured it will result in the substitution of something else. The 
two companies which have operated on the islands under lease from 
the Government have spent thousands of dollars in building up the 
seal-fur trade. The first company which secured this right was for 
some years unable to profitably dispose of its annual catch because 
there was no demand for fur-seal skins. Fur-seal skins are now, and 
have been for a number of years past, in demand because it is now 
and has been the fashion to wear them. The fashion controls the 
demand. 

With a view to determining the eti'ect of a rational land killing in 
the event of a total cessation of pelagic sealing, Mr. W. I. Lembkey, 
agent in charge and an expert in these matters, at my request prepared 
a table* which I believe is a very conservative estimate of the probable 
increase in the size of the herd. It is manifef-t from this table that if 

« Report of Fur-Seal Investigations, 1896-97, pt. 1, p. 119. 
^Submitted herewith as Appendix B. 



REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 29 

pelagic sealing is stopped, a limited number of male seals may be killed 
on the islands each year in increasing numbers without impeding the 
natural increase of the herd. It is mj' judgment, therefore, in view 
of the foregoing, that the killing on land should not be stopped, but 
should be permitted to proceed on a rational basis. 

REDUCTION OF HERD TO A BREEDING NUCLEUS UNDESIRABLE. 

The suggestion not infrequently made in recent years that this Gov- 
ernment authorize the killing of all save a breeding nucleus of a few 
hundred seals as a means of stopping pelagic sealing is neither sensi- 
ble nor humane. In the iirst place, if left alone the pelagic sealers 
will accomplish this result in a very short time; and, in the second 
place, it would not settle the question. Just as soon as the herd 
increased to a size sufficient to make land killing permissible and 
profitable, pelagic sealing would be profitable, and the question would 
again be an open one, 

EXPERIMENTS WITH BRANDS AND TAGS SUGGESTED. 

In this connection permit me to suggest that in my judgment it 
would be practicable to brand or tag all of the seals born on the islands 
in the same way that the great herds of cattle which roam the western 
prairies are branded, and that action of this kind on the part of this 
Government would reduce the seals to its possession and justify it in 
protecting them on the high seas. 

The experience of recent years in annually branding 2,000 young 
male seals demonstrates: First, that a brand of a permanent nature 
can be placed on the seal without injury to the animal; and, second, 
that the branded animals return to the islands from year to year. In 
view of the foregoing, I recommend that the Department conduct 
experiments with brands and metal tags. I believe it would be entirely 
possible to attach to the young seals before the}^ leave the islands 
metal tags, on which might be stamped the words "Property of the 
United States." If this tag was uniformly fastened by means of a 
wire on the same part of the body of the seal, it would leave a mark 
on the inner side of the skin which would be sufficient to identity it 
in case the seal was killed, even if the tag had, in the meantime, been 
removed. 

STATISTICAL INFORMATION. 

For your further information I attach hereto, as Appendix A, certain 
statistical information with reference to the Pribilof fur seal herd, from 
the time of the discover}' of the Pribilof Islands to date, as follows: 

Table 1. — Number of seals killed on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, 
from 1786 to 1906, inclusive. 



30 EEPOET ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHEEIES. 

Table 2, — Pelagic and land catches from the Pribilof herd from 
1868, when the Pribilof Islands came into the possession of the United 
States, to 1906; the revenue derived by the Government, and the aver- 
age prices obtained for the skins. 

Table 3. — Size of the Pribilof herd since its discovery in 1786. 
Table 4. — Annual quotas allowed lessees of the seal islands and the 
skins shipped thereunder from 1870 to 1905. 

Table 5. — Receipts and expenditures in connection with the admin- 
istration of the fur-seal fisheries. 
Very respectfully, 

Edwin W. Sims, 
Solicitor of the Department of Commerce and Labor. 

Hon. Victor H. Metcalf, 

Secretary of Cotrmierca and Labor. 



APPENDIX A. 



STATISTICS OF THE PRIBILOF FUR-SEAL HERD FROM 

THE DISCOVERY OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS, 

1786, TO 1906, INCLUSIVE. 



31 



STATISTICS OF THE PRIBILOF FUR-SEAL HERD, 1786-1906. 



Table 1. — Seals Killed on Pkibilop Islands, Alaska, 1786-1906. 
[Compiled from the most trustworthy sources obtainable.] 





St. Paul. 


St. George. 


Total killed 
for both 
islands. 


Reserved 


Year. 


Gray 
pups. 


Bachelors. 


Total. 


Gray 
pups. 


Bache- \ ^ , , 


for 
breeding. 


1786-1796 












a 417, 758 

b 844,890 

c 60, 188 

c 59, 856 

c 52,224 

c 50,220 

44, 995 

c 36,469 

c 29, 873 

c 25,400 

c 30, 100 

c 23,250 

c 19,700 

c 23, 228 

e 20,811 

c 18,034 

16,034 

c 16,440 

c 16, 412 

c 15, 751 

c 6,580 

6, 590 

c 6, 802 

/ 6, 000 

/ 6, 000 

/ 8, 000 

/ 8,000 

/ 10, 370 

/ 11,240 

/ 11,924 

/ 13, 637 

/ 15, 070 

/ 17, 703 

/ 14, 650 

/ 21,450 

/ 6. 770 

/ 6, 564 

/ 6, 725 

/ 18,035 

/ 26, 146 




1797-1816 














1817 






c 47,860 
c 45, 932 
c 40,300 
c 39, 700 
c 35,750 
<-■ 28, 150 
c 24,100 
c 19,850 






c 12,328 

c 13,924 

e 11,924 

<• 10,520 

9,245 

c 8, 319 

c 6,773 

c 5,550 

c 5,500 

(rf) 
c 4, 778 
c 3, 661 
c 2 834 




1818. .. 












1819 












1820 












1821 . . : 












1822 










c 2, 700 
c 6,000 
c 2,500 


1823 










1824 . 










1825 






c 24,600 
c 23,250 






1826 












1827 






19,700 

<■ 18,450 

c 17,150 

c- 15, 200 

c 12,950 

c 13,150 

'■ 13,200 

<■ 12, 700 

e 4,052 

e 4, 040 

e 4, 220 

e 4,030 

e 5, 230 

e 6,000 

e 8,000 

e 10,060 

e 11, 344 

'' 12, 782 

<■ 12,978 

e 15.503 

e 17,008 

e- 16, 970 

e 13,350 

e 6, 068 

e 6,225 

c 10,630 

« 15, 690 

e 35,261 








1828 













1829 












1830 












1831 










c 3, 084 
t' 3,296 
c 3,212 
c 3,051 
c 2, 528 
c 2,550 
c 2,580 




1832 












1833 . 












1834 












1835 


e 3, 9,52 

e 2,840 

e 2,020 

e 1,380 

e 230 

e 650 

e 91 rO 

e 1,260 

e 1, 294 

e 2, 632 

e 3,428 

e 3, 503 

e 3, 258 

« 3,370 

e 3, 350 

e 538 

e 930 

e ] . 250 

e 1,700 

e 1,400 




e 100 

e 1,200 

e 2, 200 

e 2, 6F0 

e 5,000 

e 5, 350 

c 7, 100 

e 8,800, 

e 10,050 

e 10,150 

e 9, 550 

e 12,000 

e 13, 750 

e 13,600 

e 10, 000 

« 5, 330 

e 5, 295 

« 9,380 

e 13,996 

e 33,861 






c 8,000 
c 7,750 


1836 






1837 






c 7 000 


1838 








1839 










1840 










1841 










1842 










1843 










1844 










1845 .'. 










1846 










1847 










1848 










1849 










1850 








1851 








1852 








1853 








1854 









a Berg's Chronological History, 1820, cited in Vol. I, Appendix to Case of United States, Paris Tri- 
bunal of Arbitration, reprint 1895, page 125. See also H. H. Bancroft, Vol. XXVIII, page 193, stating 
that 41 000 skins were .'■ecnrerl in 1786. 

'' Elliott's Monograph, reprnt "Seal and Salmon Fisheries," part 3, page 115, gives the number 
killed from 1797 to 1821 as 1.112,374. after deducting 5,000 annually for skins shipped from the Com- 
mander Islands. This number of 844,890 is obtained by deducting from the above number the num- 
ber stated by Veniaminof to have been killed during the years 1817 to 1821. The result probably 
represents not more than one-half the seals killed during this period, because of the great loss 
through wastefulness and crude methods of curing skins. 

<■ Veniaminof, " Notes on Lslands of Unalaska District," part 2, Table" 6, cited in Case of United 
States, Tribunal of Arbitration at Paris, reprint 1895, page 126. (A photographic copy of this table, 
taken from original publication, on file in Division of Seal Fisheries, year 1894.) 

rf Closed season. 

e Manuscript record of ShisenikofF. (Photographic copy in Division of Seal Fisheries, year 1894.) 

f Report of H. H. Mclutyre. 1869. (Hou.'e Fx. Doc. No. 36, 41st Cong., 2d sess.) The same figures 
also occur in Report of British Bering Sea Commissioners, par. 771, reprint 1895, vol. 6, " Proceedings 
of Paris Tiibuual," page 194. Mclntyre's figures evidently exclude pups killed, and relate appar- 
ently only to skins .shipped. The figures for the years 1838 to 1841, inclusive, are approximate. 



33 



H. Doc. 251, 59—2 3 



34 EEPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 

Table 1. — Seals Killed on Pribilof Islands, Alaska, 1786-1906 — Continued. 





St. Paul. 


St. George. 


Total killed 
for both 
islands. 


Reserved 


Year. 


Gray 
pups. 


Bachelors. 


Total. 


Gray 
pups. 


Bache- 
lors. 


Total. 


for 
breeding. 


1855 














a 8,585 




1856 














a 23, 550 
a 21,082 
a 31,810 
« 22, 000 




1857 




) 










1868 
















lt,59 
















1860 ' 












21,590 : 


1861 












6 29, 699 : 


1)S62 1 












ft 34,294 
b 25, 000 
b 26, 000 
b 40,01.0 
h 42,000 
ft 75,000 
h 242,000 




lSJt)3 1 














1864 1 














1865 










1866 ... .' 












1867 










1868 ' 












1869 .... 










b 87,000 


1870 


c 2,800 
c 2,877 

r f, 191 


c 12,514 1 c 15,314 
c 77,926 1 c 81,803 
(' 76,698 c 81,819 
c 76,498 c 81,987 
c 93, 242 c ys, 139 
'■ 91,215 , (■ 94,960 
(• 79, 199 1 c 83, 157 
•■ 62, 803 1 c 67, 810 
'-■ 83, 313 i c 88, 519 
<• 83, 250 1 c 88, 321 
c 80, 366 <:■ 84, 779 
c 83, 774 ! c 83, 774 
c 79,834 1 <-■ 79,8:54 
c 60 313 '■ >^'^ '"'5 


'■ 1,200 
c 2, 090 
f 2 000 


c 7,25H c 8,459 
c 19,067 ' c 21,157 
(• % (1(1(1 e OT 00(1 


23,773 


1871 

1872 


102, 960 
108,819 
109. 177 
110,585 
106, 460 




1873 <: 5 489 


'■ 2, 190 1 c 25! '^00 i c Ti\ 190 
<• 2,446 ; '• 10,000 1 <■ 12,446 
<• 1,600 <-■ ID 11(10 1 c 11. .50(1 




1874 1 c 4, 897 

1875 1 '■ 3 745 




1876 ' c 3 958 


<■ 1,500 
e 1,500 
c 1, 500 
'• 1,506 
'• 1,330 
'• 1,031 

'•'i,"6o6" 

c 1,600 
c 1,080 
c 1, 286 
f 1,356 
h 978 
c 1,071 
d 1,104 


(• 10,000 

c 15,000 

c 19.304 

.. 20,684 

c 12,609 

c 20, 258 

'^ 19, 978 

c 15,214 

c 15,073 

c 16,064 

c 15, 150 

c 15,312 

c 16,056 

c 14, 154 

c 5, 035 

2,461 

2, 502 

1 . 896 


c 11,600 

c 16,500 

c 20,804 

c 22, 190 

c 20, 939 

c 21 , 289 

c 19, 978 

c 16,214 

c 16,573 

« 16, 144 

c 16,436 

e 16,668 

c- 17, 034 

c 15,225 

e 6,139 

e 2,461 

<•■ 2, 502 

e 1,896 

e 2,972 

e 2, 522 

e 6, 137 

e 2,207 


94, 657 

81,310 

109, 323 

110,511 

106, 718 

105, 063 

99,812 

79, 509 

105,434 

105, 024 

104,521 

105,760 

103, 304 

102, 617 

e 28, 059 

e 12, 040 

e 7,611 

e 7,396 

« 16,270 

e 14,846 

e 30, 654 

e 19,200 

/ 18, 032 

g 17,189 

h 22,114 

h 23,291 

h 22, 348 

h 20, 126 

h 11,724 

./ 15, 138 

i 12,886 




1877 : t- 5, 007 




1S79 c 5 071 








1881 




1882 ' 




1883 ' c 2 982 




1884 i c 2 741 


c 86, 120 

<■• 86,092 

c 86, 261 

86,915 

c 84, 092 

c 85,112 

c 19,556 

9,579 

5,009 

5, 500 


c 88, 861 

c 88, 880 

c 88,085 

c 89, 092 

c 86, 270 

87, 392 

e 21,920 

e 9,579 

e 5,009 

e 5_5I)I» 




1KS.T c •! 7nR 




1886 ' c 2, 824 








1889 1 <: 2*280 




1890 1 d 2, 364 

1891 










1893 






13, 2'.I8 e 13.29,S 


2! 972 




1895 . .. .j 


12, 324 
24, 517 
16, 993 


e 12,324 
"■ 24, 517 
e 16,993 




2,522 
6,137 

2,207 




1896 




1S97 




1898 I 




1899 














19C0 


h 17,033 
h 17,960 
h 18, 872 
h 17,025 
li 9, 988 
j 13,706 
j 11, 186 


h 17,033 
/« 17, 960 
h 18,872 
/i 17,025 
h 9, ^88 
./• 13,706 
j 11,186 




h 5,081 
h 5 331 


h 5,081 
A 5, 331 
h 3,476 
A 3, 101 
h 1,736 
J 1,432 
j 1,700 




1901 




1902 


i '1 3,476 

A 3, 101 

/» 1, 736 

J 1.432 

3 1,700 




1903 




1904 


i 2, 054 


1905 




k 2, 174 


1906 




2,238 








Total 


108, 803 


1,946,445 


2, 508, 414 


29, 168 


367, 771 


518, 596 


5, 055, 666 


40,413 



a See footnote / on page 34. 

b Report of British Commissioners, Fur-Seal Arbitration, reprint 1895, vol. 6, page 194. These fig- 
ures agree with those stated in Elliott's Monograph, "Seal and Salmon Fisheries," part 3, page 116, 
except for the years 1861 and 1862, for each of which Elliott gives 20,000, and tlie year 1867, for which 
Elliott gives 48",000. The authority of the Britisli commissioners for the latter year is "Allen's North 
American Pinnipeds," page 398, which was basi'd on a statement of Special Agent Bryant. 

c "Seal and Salmon Fisheries," vol. 2, pages 273-274. 

d " Seal and SiUmoii Fisheries," vol. 1, pages 272, 298. 

« "Report Fur Seal Investigation Commission, 1896-97," part 1, page 207. 

/Owing to the death of Agent Murray the seals actually killed this year were not reported. The 
number here given is the company's quota actually shipped. See manuscript report. 

a The ntnnber actually kiled this year can not be gathered from Agent Morton's report. The 
number here given was extracted from a table sent by this Department to the State Department in a 
letter dated January 14, 1905. 

h Manuscript reports. Division of Seal Fisheries. 

i Senate Document No. 98, Fiftv-ninth Congress, first session, pages 8-9. 

j Manuscript report The number for 1905 is inclusive of food killings in the fall of 1905. The 
number for 1906 is exclusive of food killings in the fall of 1906, which can net be ascertained until 
the spring of 1907. 

fc Senate Document No. 98, Fifty-ninth Congress, first session, page 65. 



EEPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 



85 



Table 2. — Pelagic and Land Catches from Pribilop Hekd, Revenue Derived 

BY Government, and Average Prices Obtained for Skins, from 186S, when 
THE Pribilof Islands came into the Possession of the United States, to 
1906. 



Year. 



1868. 
1869- 
1870. 
1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. 
18:6. 
1877. 
1878. 
1879. 
1880. 
1881. 
1882. 
1883. 
1884. 
1885. 
1886. 
1887. 



1890. 
1891 
1892. 
1893. 
1894. 
1895. 
1896. 
1897. 
1898. 
1899. 
1900. 
1901. 
1902. 
1903. 
1904. 
1905. 
1906. 



Land catch. 



Pelagic catch. 



Skins shipped from Pribilof 
Islands." 



St. Paul. 



<• 76, 

c 74 

<■ 74, 

89, 
c- 89, 
c 8l), 
c 60 
«• 82 
c 80, 
e SO. 
<-■ 79, 
e 80; 
<■ 60, 
c 85, 
c 84, 
c 85, 

<• 85: 

'• 85, 

c 85, 

'J 16, 

li 10, 
J 4, 
'' ■">, 

1 12, 
m 12, 

" 23' 

o 18, 

P 15, 

P 14, 

</ 17, 

r 17, 

'• 19, 

r 16, 

s 11, 

V 13, 
12, 



017 
134 
941 
485 
924 
687 
000 
199 
(00 
000 
000 
905 
000 
COO 
000 
995 
000 
000 
000 
000 
874 
780 
996 
418 
969 
500 
842 
400 
850 
292 
688 
100 
0,S2 
200 
132 
000 
536 



St. George. 



Total. 



Revenue to 
Government, 



Total 1,705,946 



c 19, 077 
c 25,000 
<• 25,000 
c 10,000 
« 10, 000 
<■ 10,000 
e 15,000 
c 18,000 
(• 20, 000 
<-■ 20,000 
(■ 20, 000 
c 20, 000 
c 1.5,000 
'' 15,000 
<■ 15,000 
<:■ 15,000 
c 15,000 
c 15,000 
'• 15,000 
y 4,121 
li 2,702 
J 2, 553 
k 2, 007 
I 3,062 
m 2,500 
n 6, 15S 
o 2, 366 
P 2, 182 
P 2, 620 
q 4,782 
'■ 5, 572 
'■ 3, 304 
/■ 3, 092 
s 1,996 
" 1,368 
1,940 



242,000 

87, 000 

6,017 

95, 211 

99, 941 

99, 485 

99, 924 

99, 687 

90, 000 

75, 199 

100, 000 

100, 000 

U 0,000 

99, 905 

100,01:0 

75, 000 

100,000 

99, 995 

100, 000 

100, 000 

100, 000 

100, 000 

20, 995 

'• 13,482 

7,549 

7,425 

16,031 

15,000 

30, 000 

20, 766 

18, 032 

16, 812 

22,470 

22, 672 

22, 386 

19, 292 

13, 128 

14,368 

14, 476 



S212, 
87, 
rfelOl, 
e .322, 
<• 307, 
e 356, 
e 317, 
e 317, 
<-■ 291, 
e 253, 
e 317, 
c 317, 
e 317, 
<-■ 316, 
t' 317, 
e 251, 
e 317, 
<-' 'An. 
e 317, 
e 317, 
e 317, 
e 317, 
e 214, 
e 4S, 
e 23, 
e 96, 
e 163, 
e 153, 
c 306, 
e 212. 
e 184, 
s 224, 
e 229, 
e 231, 
e 286, 
e 197, 
e 134, 
c 146, 
14S, 



000. 00 
000. 00 
080. to 
863. 38 
181.12 
610, 42 
494. 75 
.584. 00 
155. 50 
2.55. 75 
447. 50 
400.25 
•594. 50 
885. 75 
295. 25 
875. 00 
i( 0. 25 
489. .50 
452. 75 
500. 00 
500. 00 
500. 00 
673. 88 
749. 23 
972. 60 
159. 82 
916.97 
375.00 
750. 00 
332. 35 
377.20 
476.47 
755. 75 
821.20 
133.40 
260. 70 
233. 80 
912. 80 
017. 10 



Average Catch Ber- 



price ob 

tuined for 

skin.s. 



ing Sea and 

Northwest 

Coast. 



f «5. 41 
/ 10. 50 
/ 11.20 
/ 13.00 
/ 13.10 
f 12.75 
f 8. 75 
f 9. 75 
/ 9.80 
/ 21. 20 
f 22. 25 
f 19. 75 
/ 13.60 
/ 20. 20 
/ 12. 75 
/ 14. 20 
/ 17.10 
f 14.00 
/ 19. 50 
/ 17.00 
/ 36, 50 
f 30. 00 
f 30. 00 
/ 27. 00 
/ 20. 50 
/ 20. 25 
/ 17. 00 
f 15. 60 
/ 10.00 
/ 26. 00 
/ -32. 00 
/ 34. 00 
/ 32. £0 
f 29. 50 
t 37.00 
t 37.00 



b 4, 367 

b 4, 430 

b H,(M-6 

b 16,911 

b 5, 336 

b 5, 229 

h 5, 873 

b 5, 033 

b 5, 515 

b .5, 210 

'' 5, .544 

b 8,-5.57 

'' 8, 718 

'' 10,382 

b 15, .551 

'' 16, .557 

b 16,971 

'> 23,040 

'' 28,494 

'' 30,628 

'' 26, 189 

'' 29.858 

'' 40,814 

b 59, 568 

'' 46,642 

') 30, 812 

b 61,838 

'' 56,291 

b 43,917 

b 24,321 

f 28, 552 

/ 34, 1H8 

/ 35, 191 

f 24,0.50 

f 22, .SI 2 

/ 27, 000 

u 29. 006 

" 25,320 



369,302 I 2,464,248 i 9,311,054. 



877, 381 



Average 

price of 

skins 

sold. 



f 82. 40 
/ 2.40 



/ 8.50 
f 9. 00 
/ 5. 25 



/ 8.62 

f 13.00 

/ 14. 00 

/ 7.80 

/ 5.10 

/ 6.30 

/ 6.75 

/ 6.50 

/ 7.00 

/ 7.70 

/ 7.80 

/ 9.75 

/ 16.25 

f 15. 75 

/ 17. 00 

/ 12. 50 

f 8. 75 

/ 10. 25 

/ 8.00 

/ 6.50 

/ 6. 50 

/ 10.25 

f 16. 00 

/ 15.25 

/ 19.25 

/ 18. 50 

t 19.25 

t 27. 35 



n The stated number of skin.s shipped will not agree with the corresponding amount of revenue 
derived, for the reason that in former years the payments of revenue from seal skins were based 
upon the count of skins by the collector of customs at San FrancLsco, which count varied each year, 
slightly more or less, from the island count. In later years the island count has been accepted as 
the basis for jiayment. 

b •• Report Fnr-Seal Investigation Commission, 1896-97," Pt. I, p. 222. 

c " Seal and Salmon Fisheries," vol. 1, pp. 261-262. This shows the number of skins on which the 
annual divisions of natives' earnings were based. 

d Probably includes .skins taken before the date of the lea.se to the Alaska Commercial Company 
upon which a revenue of only f 1 per skin was paid. 

e Official records. Treasury Department. 

/Pamplilet, " Hearing before Ways and Means Committee, March 9 and 10, 1904," p. 76. 

3 "Seal and Salmon Fisheries," vol. 1, p. 258. 

ft "Seal and Salmon Fisheries," vol. 1, p. 286. 

'Of these, 1,231 were "stagey," and were made the subject of a special settlement. ("Seal and 
Salmon Fisheries," vol. 1, p. 272.) 

J "Seal and Salmon Fisheries," vol. 1, pp. 349-361. 

fc "Seal and Salmon Fisheries," vol 1, p. 442. 

' "Seal and Salmon Fisheries," vol. 1, p. 471. 

»n " Seal and Salmon Fisheries," vol. 1, p. 488. 

n Crowley's manuscript report. 

o Murray's manuscript report. 

p Morton's manuscript report. 

9 Judge's manuscript report. 

r Lembkey's manuscript report. 

s Senate Document No. 98, Fifty-ninth Congre.';s, first session, pp, 33-51. 

t Computed from catalogue of London trade sales. 

"Lampson & Co.'s catalogues, London sales of Northwest Coast seal skins for 1904 and 1905. 

f Senate Document No. 98, Fifty-ninth Congress, first session, pp, 65-66. 



36 



REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 



SIZE OF PRIBILOF ISLANDS HERD SINCE THEIR DISCOVERY IN 1786. 

Precise data as to the size of the entire herd of seals on the Fribilof 
Islands dui'iiig- the ,years preceding the American occupation is want- 
ing. No computation of the number in the whole herd is known to 
have been made. The only known factor of record during this period 
is the annual 3aeld of skins as contained in the statements of th(^ num- 
ber of skins annually shipped. 

The yield of skins from bachelors bears a direct relation to the num- 
ber of breeding cows, since it is the breeding herd that furnishes the 
surplus males from which these skins are obtained. It can be under- 
stood readily that the o-year-old bachelors of to-da}' were the pups of 
four summers ago, and that, from a knowledge of the number of 
3-year-old skins in the present year's catch a fairly approximate idea 
can be obtained of the number of breeders four years ago — after 
proper deductions for natural mortalit3^ 

Precise information, however, as to the character of the skins taken 
by the Russians is not at hand. It is known that their catches of skins 
in certain years were composed of gray pups as well as bachelor seals. 
In years preceding 1835, at least, they took f-emales also. It was the 
killing of the latter on land, together with other causes, such as an 
unusual quantity of drift ice on the shores, deterring the gravid 
females from landing, that is supposed to have reduced the herd to the 
low-water mark in 1835. 

As no knowledge is had of the number of skins ol' any given class 
in the Russian catches it is necessaiy in attempting to compute the 
whole number of individuals in the herd in former years to proceed 
upon a somewhat different hypothesis. It may be accepted as an axiom 
that the Russians under ordinaiy circumstances took as many skins as 
the herd would afford. There were, of course, certain j^ears in which 
killing was restricted, such as the few years succeeding 1835, and for 
those years the catch of bachelors would form no criterion of the whole 
number. But in the main, accepting the annual catches as indicative 
of the annual yield, this annual yield would offer a fair idea of the size 
of the herd, provided some basis of estimation can be estal)lished. 

.To determine a relation between the catch and the entire herd we 
would have to seek years in which counts of the whole herd have been 
made and compare these counts with the catches of bachelors in those 
3'^ears. 

Complete censuses of the whole herd, based on anything lik(> accu- 
rate counts, were made only during the years 1897, by Doctor Joi'dan, 
and in 1904 and 1905, by Agent Lembkey. We are obliged to disre- 
gard those based on acreage measurements made in 1872-1874 and in 
1890 by Mr. H. W. Elliott, since this method, in the light of subse- 
quent investigation, is proven unreliable. The catch of bachelors and 
the whole estimated number composing the herd in the vears 1897, 
1904, and 1905 follows: 



Year. 


Bachelors 
killed. 


Whole 
census. 


Bachelors 
released. 


Ratio of 

catch to 

whole 

herd. 


1897 


20, 766 
13, 128 
14,368 


402, 850 
243, 103 
223,009 




1-20 


1 904 

1905 


2,054 
2,174 


1-it; 

1-14 





KEPORT ON THE ALASKAN" FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 37 

In the census made by Doctor Jordan in 1897 the take of skins rep- 
resents a ratio to the whole herd of about 1 to 20. In that made in 

1904, by Agent Lembkey, the ratio of kiUables to the whole herd, 
including- the 2,051 bachelors branded and released, is 1 to 16, and in 

1905, with a similar addition of the bachelors released that year, 1 to 
14. In this way a relation is established between the catch and the 
whole herd upon which a rough estimate may be made of the herd in 
former years in which onW the catch is known. While it was not 
known until after this course of procedure had been adopted for the 
purpose in hand, proper acknowledgment must be made of the fact 
that this same method of estimation was used by Doctor Jordan in his 
criticism of Elliott's censuses of 1871 and 1890. 

As can be seen, a variation exists between the ratios given above. 
It must be determined, therefore, whether killing in 1897 was as close 
as in the later years. Doctor Jordan states that in 1897 there were 
turned awav 15,000 animals too small to kill. (Fur-Seal Investiga- 
tion Commission, pt. 1, p. 98.) These added to the 20,766 killed would 
make a total of 35,766 animals driven. The number dismissed, there- 
fore, was 11 per cent of the whole number driven. 

In 1901, with 13,128 skins taken, there were 10,1S1 rejections of 
small seals, or 11 per cent of the whole number driven. (8. Doc. 98, 
59th Cong., 1st. sess., p. 13.) In 1905, 9,520 small dismissals occurred 
(including 3.199 from St. George), with a take of 11,368 skins, or dis- 
missals of 10 per cent of the whole number driven. (Idem, p. 67.) 

The percentage of animals killed in those three years is demonstrated 
to have been practically the same, while the ratios of killed to the 
whole herd vary from 1 to 20 in 1897 to 1 to 16 in 1901 and 1 to 14 in 
1905. This variation must be caused by the differing methods of ap- 
proximation of the whole herd. Doctor Jordan's estimate of the herd 
for 1897 is frankly stated to be a mere approximation and is made in 
round numl^ers. Mr. Lembkey\s estimates for 1904 and 1905 are 
stated also to be nothing more than cai-eful approximations, but have 
the advantage of treating with a greatly diminished herd which could 
be more easily counted and, so far as relates to the bachelor seals, 
were based on counts of those appearing in the drives which Doctor 
Jordan did not make. Without any reflection on Doctor Jordan's 
work, therefore, it is believed that the adoption of the relation of the 
catch of skins to the whole herd of 1 to 15 — a mean of the ratios of 
1904 and 1905 — more nearly represents the actual ratio than 1 to 20. 

The application of this rule will, of course, give a mere idea of the 
size of the herd in former years and nothing more. Varying con- 
ditions of the climate and of the market, differing policies of the 
managers, and other now unknown factors all contribute to vitiate the 
accuracy of such a computation. It will, however, give an idea, more 
or less inexact, of the size of the herd, and this is all that is claimed 
for it. 



•38 



REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 



Table 3. — Take of Skins and Approximate Size of Seal Herds, 1786-1906. 



Year. 



1786... 
1787... 
1788... 
1789... 
1790... 
1791... 
1792... 
1793... 
1794... 
1795... 
1796... 
1797... 
1798... 
1799... 
1800... 
1801... 
1802... 
1803... 
1804... 
1805... 
1806... 
1807... 
1808... 
1809... 
1810 .. 
1811... 
1812... 
1813... 
1814. . . 
1815... 
1816... 
1817... 
1818... 
1819... 
1820. . . 
1821 . . 
1822... 
1823... 
1824... 
1825... 
1826... 
1827... 



Take of 
skins. 



37, 978 
37, 978 
37, 978 
37, 978 
37,978 
37,978 
37, 978 
37, 978 
37, 978 
37, 978 
37, 978 
42, 244 
42, 244 
42, 244 
42, 244 
42,244 
42, 244 
42,244 
42, 244 
42, 244 
42, 244 
42, 244 
42, 244 
42, 244 
42, 244 
42, 244 
42, 244 
42, 241 
42,2i4 
42,244 
42, 254 
60, 188 
59, 856 
.52, 224 
50, 22!) 
44, 995 
36, 469 
29, 873 
25, 400 
30, 100 
23, 250 
19, 700 



Approxi- 
mate size 
of herd. 



2, 500, 000 



2, 000, 000 

(«) 
(") 
(«) 
(«) 

(a) 

(a) 

{«) 

(«) 

(«) 

(«) 

(«) 

(«) 

(") 

(") 

(") 

(") 

(«) 

('0 

(") 
1,000,000 
90^,820 
897, 840 
788. 360 
753,300 
674, 925 
587. 536 
538, 095 
418, 500 
451 , 500 
409,750 
355, 500 



Year. 



1828 
1829 
1830 
1831 
1832 
1833 
lfS34 
1835 
1836 
1837 
1838 
1839 
1840 
1841 
1842 
1843 
1844 
1845 
1S46 
1847 
1848 
1849 
1850 
1851 
1852 
1N53 
1854 
1855 
1^56 
1>67 
1858 
1859 
I860 
1851 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1867 
1868 
1869 



Take of 
skins. 



23, 228 

20, 811 

18,034 

16, 034 

16, 446 

16,412 

15, 751 

6,580 

6,590 

6,802 

6,000 

6,000 

8,000 

8,000 

10, 370 

11, 240 

11, 924 

13, 637 

15, 070 

17, 703 

14,650 

21, 450 

6,770 

6,564 

6,726 

18,035 

26, 146 

8, 685 

23, .5.50 

21, 082 

31,810 

22, 000 

21,590 

29, 699 

34, 294 

25, 000 

26, 000 

40, 000 

42, 000 

75, 000 

24!, 000 

87, 000 



Approxi- 
mate size 
of herd. 



348, 420 
312, 165 
270,510 
240, 510 
246, 690 
246, 180 
236, 265 
222, 750 
215, 100 
207, 030 
(f>) 

w 

C) 

(b) 



C) 

('-) 
(") 
(f) 
(&) 

(b) 

(") 

(b) 
('') 
C) 
(") 

{b) 
, 000, OGO 



Year. 



1870. 
1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. 
1876. 
1877. 
1878. 
1879. 
1880. 
1881. 
1882. 
1883. 
1884. 
1885. 
1886. 
1887. 
1888. 
1889. 
1890. 
1891. 
1892. 
1893. 
1894. 
1895. 
1896. 
18li7. 
1898. 
1899. 
1900. 
1901. 
i 1902. 
1903. 
1904. 
1905. 
1906. 



Take of 
skins. 



23, 

102, 

108, 

109, 

110, 

106, 

94, 

84, 

109, 

110, 

105, 

105, 

99, 

79, 

105, 

105, 

104, 

105, 

103, 

102, 

28, 

12, 

7, 

7, 

16, 

14, 

30, 

19, 

18. 

17, 

22, 

23, 

22, 

20, 

n, 

15, 
12, 



773 
960 
819 
177 
585 
460 
657 
^0 
323 
.511 
718 
063 
812 
509 
434 
024 
521 
760 
304 
617 
059 
040 
.511 
396 
270 
846 
654 
200 
032 
189 
114 
291 
318 
126 
724 
138 
886 



Approxi- 
mate size 
of herd. 



2,000,000 



1, 500, 000 



900, 000 



5, 055, 666 



489, 810 
402, S50 
3.50, 000 
350, 000 



243,103 
223, 009 
185,000 



a Gradual decrease. 



6 Gradual increase. 



ANALYSIS OF TABLE. 



The figures of the yearly catche.s are taken from Table i. 

The catch of skins for 178(3 to 1796 represents a yearly average of 
the total catch (417,758) given for that period. The application of the 
ratio of 1 to 15 for these years (1786 to 1706) gives a total herd of only 
181), 890. This, of course, is simply al)sui-d. The ratio, at best, is 
merely an estimate, and the catch stated for these years represents 
but a fraction of the seals killed. Fi'om a knowledge of all the facts, 
it is believed that the hei'd, on the discovei-y of tlie islands, embraced 
at least 2,500,000 animals, and this number is adopted arbitrarily as its 
measure during the first 3'ears. It is also as arbitrarily reduced to 
2,000,000 in the year 1796, as it is believed that at least that reduction 
occurred. 

The total catch recorded for the twenty years from 1797 to 1816, 
both inclusive, is 844,890. an average yearly catch of 42,244. Atl to 
15 this w^ould show the whole herd to have been 667,005. From the 
recognized incompleteness of the figures showing the catch, w'e may 
assume that the herd was reduced to appi'oximately 1,000,000 animals. 

In 1817 occurs the first exact figures of the catch for any one year, 
given by Veniaminof. The application of the ratio of 1 to 15 gives 
the total stated for this and the succeeding 3'ears to 1821. 

In 1822, 2,700 young seals were "" reserved for breeding." They 
have been added to the catch in computing the total yield. 



EEPOET ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 39 

In 1823, 6,000 youno- seals were "reserved for breeding," and have 
been added in computing- the total yield. 

In 1821, 2,500 young seals were "reserved for breeding," and have 
been added in computing the total yield. 

An apparent increase is shown in 1S25. This is undoubtedh^ due 
solely to the arbitrary method of computation. It means no increase 
in the herd, but increased activity in taking seals. They probably 
killed, in this year, some of the seals reserved the preceding three years. 
The killing in 1826 to 1828 probably represents the normal vield of 
the herd and reduces the whole number materially from 1825. 

The period between 1829 and 1834: shows a steady decrease. The 
apparent fluctuation during this time is the result of more or less close 
killing. 

We have in 1831 a measure of the herd previous to the year 1835, 
when the lowest number is said to have been reached, and when the 
famous "Zapooski'' was put into effect. It is more probable that the 
preservative measures in 1835 were adopted as the result of the scarcity 
of seals observed in 1834. Our methods of computation can construct, 
at the best, only a series of systematic guesses, but enough of the ele- 
ments of accuracy are involved to dem.onstrate that the herd was not 
any nearer (if as near) annihilation in 1831 than it is at present. 

In 1835, while they took only 6,580 seals, of which, according to 
Veniaminof's tal)le, the greater number were gray pups, they also 
"reserved for breeding" 8,vl00 seals. As stringent regulations were 
adopted this year against the killing of females (Veniaminof) to insure 
the increase in the herd it is not to l)e believed that these seals reserved 
for breeders were females, as they would be reserved in any event as 
a matter of course. They undoubtedly were young killable bachelors, 
and have been added to the catch to form a basis for computation. 

In 1836. while 6,590 skins were secured, 7,750 seals were reserved 
for Ijreeding. 

In 1837. 6,802 skins were secured and 7,000 seals reserved for breed- 
ing. The catches for the N-ears 1838 to 1841 are approximations taken 
from the ta)>le prepared by II. H. Mclntyre. No attempt is made to 
compute therefrom the whole herd. From 1838 to 1867, owing to the 
restrictive measures exercised by the Russian managers, no correct 
idea of the actual yield can be had. We know from Veniaminof that 
the killing in each year after 1835 was of such moderate nature as to 
insure a surplus for breeding and an increase in the herd. A scrutiny 
of the catches during this period would show that the yearly quotas 
were arbitrarily increased or lowered without regard to the number 
that could be taken under normal conditions. For this reason an 
estimate of the herd at a ratio of 1 to 15, based on the annual yields, 
would be wholly misleading. We can see, however, by the gradually 
increasing catches, that the herd itself was undergoing a steady aug- 
mentation. This is shown l)y the fact that in the year 1864 the mana- 
ger on St. Paul was instructed by the chief manager at Sitka to 
increase that island's annual catch to 70,000. (Appendix to Case of 
the United States Fur-Seal Arbitration, No. 31, p. 89.) No authentic 
record of the catch for that year exists, the estimate made by Elliott 
showing only 26,000 skins for both islands. 

The year 186)7 is the last year of the Russian management. The 
two succeeding years — 1868 and 1869 — cover the so-called "inter- 
regnum," or the period between the relinquishment of the territory by 
the Russians and the establishment of a lessee on the seal islands. In 



40 KEPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 

the last 3'ear of their tenure the RussiaiLs took 75,()0() skins. (Allen- 
North American Pinnipeds.) During- the two 3"ears of the interreg 
num the Americans took 242,000 and 87,000 skins, respectively, iiy 
averaginiy the catch of these three years, a fair idea of the normal 
catch might be obtained. By this method the yearly catch would 
average 135,000, and, at 1 to 15, would represent 2,025,000 animals in 
the whole herd, which is a fair estimate of its volume at the time of the 
grantingof the first lease to the Alaska C/Onnnercial Company, in 1870. 

From 1870 to 1884 it is admitted generally that the herd suffered 
no apparent decrease, and it is claiuied by some that an actual increase 
occurred. It is a well-known fact that prior to 1885 the herd would 
have yielded more skina than the lO<t,000 allowed annually by law. 
This can be seen by the early dates on which the annual quotas were 
secured during these years. xA.n approximation based on a catch of 
100,000 at 1 to 15 would show the herd to be. only 1,500,000, but the 
increased number which coidd have been taken, had sealing been car- 
ried on to the (^nd of the season, indicates that the herd was greater 
than this approximation of (he catch would show. In 1885 the quota 
was not secured until July 27, whereas, on the previous 3'ear it was 
obtained on Jul}- 21. This would indicate, roughly, that a marked 
decrease had occurred m the breeding herd three summers previously, 
or in 1882, the year in which the 3-year-olds of 1885 were born. This 
is substantiated to a degree bv the fact that in 1882 the pelagic catch 
increased from 10.000 to 15,000, and that by 1885 it had reached 23,000, 
mostly females. From a considenition of all the facts, it must be 
believed that the herd suffered its tirst marked reverse leading to, its 
diminution in 1882. ^\e feel safe in placing the number in the herd 
in 1882, before the diminution occurred, at 2,000,000. 

In 1885, in addition to carrying on sealing for six da3''s longer than 
usual, there is reason to believe that, on St. George at least, they low^- 
ered the size of skins taken. This is based on the fact that on that 
island three killings occurred in 1885 where the number taken in each 
killing was o\er 2,000 skins — a limit reached but twice previously in 
the history of that island (June 25, 187H, and ,Iuly 6, 1877). The num- 
ber of skins taken during this added week of sealing, on St. Paul alone, 
indicates an approximate loss in the bn^^ding herd of over 250,000. 
We may safely say that by 1885 the herd had shrunk to 1.500,000. 

During the years 1886 to 1889, both inclusive (the last four years of 
the Alaska Commercial Company's lease), the annual quotas of 100,000 
were secured only by prolonging the killing and taking smaller skins 
than usual. In the last year (1881>) killing on St. Paul was carried on 
until July 31 (Seal and Salmon Fisheries, vol. 2, p. 2H8), and included 
all classes of skins down to 4^ poimds. (Report British Bering Sea 
Commission, ])ars. 830-831, vol. 6: Report I'ai'is Arl)itration, p. 204.) 
The fact of this uiuisually close killing leaves us no ground on which 
to compute the actual size of the herd during those years. It is safe 
to infer, however, that this unwonted activity necessary to secure the 
annual quota of 100,000 indicates a large falling off' in the herd. 

In 1890, the first year of the new lease, killing was stopped on Jul}^ 
20 bv order of the Government agent (Seal and Salmon Fisheries, 
vol. ), p. 233) after the taking of 28,059 skins. While not officially 
of record, it is known that the lessee in 1890 confined killing to 
3-yeai'-olds. This is substantiated by the fact that the skins of 1890 
sold for $3().50 each (average), while in 1889, owing to the presence of 
small skins in the catch, they brought on an average onh^ $17 each. 



REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 



41 



Had killing in 1890 been continued until the end of the season, and 
had it been as rigorous as it had been during the preceding four j^ears, 
it is more than probable that the quota of 60,000 would have been 
taken. Assuming that 60,000 could have been taken, the aggregate 
herd at 1 to 15 would have been 900,000. Mr. Elliott's estimate of 
the herd in 1890, on an acreage basis, was 959,393 "breeding seals and 
young, without any estimate of nonbreeders." 

The restrictions imposed on killing by the modus vivendi in 1891 to 
1893 and by the regulations of the Department in 1894 and 1895 
reduced the catches of those years to a number considerabl}^ below 
the annual ,yield, and leave us no basis on which to form an estimate 
of the whole herd. 

In 1896 the quota was increased by the Department to 30,000, and 
30,654 skins were taken. This is probably a fair measure of the yield 
of the herd at that time. At the ratio of 1 to 15, the whole herd 
would have been 489,810. 

In 1897 a complete census of the whole hei"d was made by Doctor 
Jordan, showing a total of 402,850 lives. The catch of that year was 
19,200, which at 1 to 15 would show only 288,000 in the herd, but, 
in deference to Doctor Jordan, his figures are given. 

In 1898 and 1899, although the quota allowed each year by the 
Department was 30,000, only 18,032 and 17,189 skins, respectively, 
of the grade then taken were secured. In those years they took 
nothing less than a 6 pound skin. At 1 to 15, this would show the 
whole herd to have been 270,480 and 257,835. The 1 to 15 ratio, 
however, was formed on the basis of a 5i-pound minimum weight of 
skin, and would hardly be applicable to the catches of years in which 
such small skins were not taken. A conservative estimate would fix 
the whole number of seals in those years at 350,000. 

During the years 1900 to 1903 the lessee lowered the standard of 
skins taken so as to include all 2-year-old skins. Skins as low even as 
4^ pounds were taken. Under these circumstances it is impossible to 
estimate tlie number in the herd by the method heretofore adopted. 

In 1904, 1905, and 1906 the censuses made by Agent Lembkey are 
given. 

Table 4. — Annual Quotas Allowed Lessee of Seal Islands, and Skins Shipped 

Thereunder, 1 870-1906.^' 



Year. 


Quota allowed.') 


Skins 
shipped. 


Year. 


Quota allowed. 6 


Skins 


Minimum. 


Maximum. 


Minimum. 


Maximum. 


shipped. 


1870 




OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 


6,017 

95, 211 

99, 941 

99, 485 

99, 924 

99, 687 

• 90,000 

75, 199 

100,000 

100, 000 

100, 000 

99, 905 

100, 000 

75,000 

100, 000 

99, 995 

100, 000 

100, 000 

100, 000 

100, 000 


1890. . 




60,000 
60, 000 

7, .500 

7, 500 

20, 000 

1.5,000 

sn nnn 


20, 995 

13, 482 

7 549 


1871 




1891 




1872 




1892 




1873 




1893. 




7 425 


1874 




1894 


7, 500 
7,500 


16 031 


1875 




1895 

1896 

1897 

1898 


15 000 


1876 




30 000 


1877 




1.5,000 i 20,000 
25,000 1 30,000 
25,000 I 30,000 
25,000 30,000 
25,000 1 30,000 
25,000 1 30,000 
25,000 30,000 
I 15 000 


20 766 


1878 


■ 


18, 032 
16,812 
22, 470 


1879 




1899 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 


1880 




1881 




22 672 


1882 





22 386 


1883 




19 292 


1884 




1904 

1905 


13 128 


1885 






15, 000 
15, 000 


14 368 


1886 




1906 




14, 476 


1887 




Total . . 






1888 






2, 135, 248 


1889 















a The quotrt.s have been obtained from the manuscript records of the Treasury Department and the 
Department of Commerce and Labor. The statement of skins shipped is taken from Table 2. 

b From 1870 to 1889 the quota was fixed at 100,000 per annum by section 1962, Revised Statutes 
(amended by act March 24, 1874, 1 Supp. R. S., p. 6). 



42 



REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 



Table 5. 



-Receipt,s and Expenditures in Connection with the Administration op 
THE Fur-Seal Fisheries op Alaska. 





Receipts 

from 

royalties on 

sealskins. 


Expenses. 


Year. 


Salaries and 

expenses of 

agents. 


Supplies to 
natives. 


Miscella- 
neous, a 


1868 


$242, 000. 00 
87, 000. 00 
101,080.00 
322, 863. 38 
307, 181. 12 
356, 610. 42 
317, 494. 75 
317, .584. 00 
291,1.55.50 
253, 255. 75 
3 17, 447. .50 
317, 400. 25 
317, .594. ,50 
316, 886. 76 
317,295.25 
251,875.00 
317,400.25 
318, 489. .50 
317, 4.52. 76 
317, 500. 00 
317, .500. 00 
317, 500. 00 
214, 673. 88 
46, 749. 23 
23, 972. 60 
96,159.82 
163, 916. 97 
1.53, 376. 00 
306, 750. 00 
212, 332. 35 
184,377.20 
224,476.47 
229, 755. 75 
231,821.20 
286, 183. 40 
197, 260. 70 
131,233.80 
146, 912. 80 
148,017.10 








1869 








1870 








1871 








1872 








1873 








1874 








1875 








1876 


$2, 7.52. 68 

8, 080. 49 
10, 892. 50 
16, 381. 78 

9, .571. 02 

4, 248. 09 
1.5,263.06 
11,090.32 
13,811.64 
13, 102. 61 

7, 937. 49 
16,174.13 
10, 181. .52 
13, 027. 10 
10,747.71 
16, 396. 83 
16,071.33 
11,168.27 
10, 9.53. 09 
10,308.38 
11,288.77 

9, .591 . 50 
14,115.92 
14,841.58 
11,473.41 

5, 336. 26 
15,719.95 
10, .502. 45 
10, 063. 26 

7,418.75 
J 11,9.50.00 






1877 






1878 






1879 






1880 






1881 






1882 






1883 






1884 




'' $1,336.50 


1885 




<■ 6, 939. 81 


1886 




ct 641.04 


1887 




Ip 1.5,164.34 


1888 




'/ 41, 000. 31 


1889 




g 784.51 






'1483, 842. 65 


1891 




' 790.00 


1892 






1893 


«ii,S37.32 
18,319.44 
25, .5(i3. 21 
14,903.92 
15, 005. 00 
26, 372. ,56 
17,930.94 
19, 100. 38 
14,9.50.47 
22, 44ti. 20 
19,686.20 
15, 3S4. 45 
13,6.51.40 
J 19, 500. 00 








1895 








1897 








1899 








1901 




1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 






9,311,054.77 


349, 464. 88 


254,0.51.49 


649,499.16 



a There were, in addition, $183,808.62 expended in 1878 to 1888 for " Protection of sea otter and seal 
fisheries," and $20,940.68 for " Protection of seal and salmon fisheries" in 1892 to 1901. As the latter 
was expended for salmon fisheries protection entirely, and as the former, while its purpose is now 
unknown, had little or nothing to do with the seal i.slamis. they are not included in the column of 
misoellaneous expenses. 

b E.xpeusc of inspectors of pelagic sealskins, 1895-96. 

c Building's, seal islands, 1872. 

dPropusils, li'iiM' seal islands, 1891. 

estatistics nialivc to fur-seal industry, 1891-1894. 

/Scieutilic investigations of fur-seal fisheries, 189S-99. 

ffColIectiHg infiirinatiDn rcsjiectiug fur trade. 1875. 

Ii Bering Sea awards ainl (■(unmlssion, 1898-99. 

iCoal houses, seal islands, 1896. 

j Estimated. 



APPELNDIX B. 



PROBABLE INCREASE OF THE PRIBILOF FUR-SEAL HERD IN 

CASE THERE BE A TOTAL CESSATION OF PELAGIC 

SEALING AND A RATIONAL LAND KILLING, 



COMPUTATION BY 

WALTER L LEMBKEY. 

Chief Agent in Charge of the Seal Fisheries. 



43 



PROBABLE INCREASE OF THE PRIBILOF FUR-SEAL HERD IN CASE 
THERE BE A TOTAL CESSATION OF PELAGIC SEALING AND A 
RATIONAL LAND KILLING. 



Department of Commerce and Labor, 

Alaskan Fur-Seal Fisheries, 

Washmgton, April m. 1906. 

Sir: 1 haA^e respectfully to state that 1 have been requested orally 
to make a computation of the number of fur seals that would be present 
on the Pribilof Islands during the next few years, proA'ided a total 
cessation of pelagic sealing were accomplished; also the number of 
skins that might, under safe management, be taken therefrom for 
commercial purposes after an ample provision of young males had 
been made for breeders. 

In compliance with this request 1 have prepared a series of calcula- 
tions designed to show the effect of a cessation of pelagic sealing on 
all classes of animals composing the herd from the present time to 
1915, and the number of bulls required during that time at a normal 
ratio to serve the cows. 

These calculations are in the form of tables, and consist of the 
following: 

Table 1. Number of females present in 1905 and prospective number each year 
from 1906 to 1915. 

Table 2. Number of cows to be supplied with bulls each year during this period. 

Table 3. Number of bulls necessary each year to supply these cows, at an esti- 
mated normal ratio of 1 to 30. 

Table 4. Number of bulls which would be present each year should no land kill- 
ing be allowed. 

Table 5. Number of bulls present each year, while allowing a rational land killing 
of bachelors. 

ONLY AN ESTIMATE. 

Before entering into details 1 desire to emphasize the fact that these 
tables are mere estimates, and are submitted as such and nothing more. 
Prognostications of future events are guesses at best, and are always 
subject to revision in the light of unforeseen conditions. In the case 
of the fur seals — animals absent in the vastness of the ocean for half 
the year, exposed to unknown enemies and unascertained conditions — 
it is next to impossible to gather enough knowledge of their surround- 
ings during their period of migration to ari'ive at a correct estimate 
of their increase or diminution. It is possible only to take such facts 
as have been ascertained by experience to have application while these 
animals are on land, and from these to construct an estimate as to their 

increase, or the contrarv. 

45 



46 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES, 

DEATH RATE. 

What the death rate aiiioiio- seals really is, under normal conditions^ 
is not known. We know what the decrease in seal life has l)een for 
years past under the combined influences of sea killino- and iiatural 
mortality, but it is obviously not susceptible of ascertainment what 
the death rate vvould have been with no pelagic sealino- and had the 
animals been exposed onl}- to those influences which would prey upon 
them in an absolute state of nature. 

By analogy we know that the death rate in large cities in the United 
States among- human beings is in the neighborhood of 2 per cent. W^e 
know also that among- seals the death rate must be greater, as their 
struggle for existence is much more severe, and as they are exposed 
to the full force of natural conditions not met with by civilized man. 
We know, further, by the recuperation of the seal herd on the Prib- 
ilofs after 183.5, and by the history of seal life on Robben Island, the 
Galapagos Islands, the islands near Cape Horn, and in other localities, 
that if seals are left undisturbed by man they will increase rapidly 
until they reach the point of natural equilibrium. From all this 
we must conclude that the normal death rate is far below the rate of 
natural increase. The exact measure of that rate, however, remains 
undetermined. 

For the purpose of compiling these tables, an arbitrar}- death rate of 
10 per cent has been adopted for all seals above the class of new-born 
pups. While it is assured that the death rate among certain classes, 
notably adult bulls, must be greater than that among- the young and 
vigorous bachelors and half bulls, yet it would l)e manifestly impos- 
sible, in an effort of this kind, to differentiate between the various 
rates of death in the several classes. An average annual death rate of 
10 per cent among seals 1 year of age and over has therefore been 
adopted, in the belief that it represents a fair average and is yet con- 
servative enough to relieve the following estimates of any charge that 
they are in error in allowing- a greater increase than might rationally 
be expected. 

DEATH RATE AMONG PUPS. 

As the result of observations on the islands during a num))er of 
3'ears, it is believed that a much greater mortality occurs among new- 
born pups during their first migration from the islands than among all 
other classes of seals. This is due to their extreme youth, their imma- 
turity and lack of previous experience, and their inability at first to 
seek food in the water. A death rate of .50 per cent among this class, 
from the time they leave the islands as gray pups until they return the 
following N-ear as "yearlings," has been allowed by students of the 
question, and has, accordingly, been used in these computations. 

BREEDING FEMALES MEASURE THE INCREASE. 

The number of breeding females in the herd measures its producing 
capacity. Their increase, therefore, is the most important factor in 
the replenishing of the rookeries. Heretofore they have been pre^^ed 
upon by pelagic sealers as well as by their natural enemies, and their 
destruction, together with that of their young, by these agencies has 
resulted in the gradual lessening of the herd to its present attenuated 



REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 4T 

form. A complete stoppa<^*o of deep-sea killing will relieve the females 
of their most potent enemy, and an increase in the herd will of 
necessity occur. In view of their importance, the matter of the 
increase of the females has been dealt with first. 

BASIS OF COMPUTATION. 

The basis of computation is the number of females ascertained, by 
the best methods obtainable, to be present on the islands in 1905. 

It must be observed that the female fur seal begins to breed in her 
second 3'ear, and annually thereafter brings forth one pup. As a 
barren female is a great rarity on the islands, it is conceded that 
practically all females above the age of 2 years bear young. 

Table 1, therefore, is constructed on the hypotheses that a 10 per 
cent death rate per annum occurs among females 1 3^ear old or over; 
that all females aboxe 2 years old produce one young annually; that 
these young are evenly divided as regards sex, and that a mortality of 
50 per cent among these j^oung occurs during their tirst migration. 

NUMBER OF FEMALES IN 1906. 

In 1905 there were found to be on the islands approximately 78,000 
adult breeding cows, 14,000 2-3"ear-old (virgin) cows, 18,000 3'earling 
cows, and o9,000 new-born female pups. 

Should pelagic sealing be abolished these animals would appear in 
1906 w^ith a loss of 50 per cent among the pups and a 10 per cent loss 
among the other classae. The 2-3^ear-old cows, having been impreg- 
nated in 1905 for the first time, would have their first pups in 1906 
and be then classed among the breeders. 

To determine the nund)er of breeding females in 1906, therefore, 
the 78,000 adult cows and the 14,000 2-year-old cows of 1905 are added 
together and a 10 per cent reduction made for mortalit}^ from natural 
causes. This computation gives us 82,800 breeding females for 1906. 
The 18,000 yearling cows of 1905, after allowing a 10 per cent mor- 
tality, would return to the i^^lands in 1906 as 2-year-okls to the number 
of 16,200. The 39,000 female pups of 1905, 'after suflering a 50 per 
cent mortality in their first migration, would furnish 19,500 yearling 
females in 1906. As there are 82,800 breeding females in 1906, there 
would also be the same numlier of pups, of which 41,400 would be 
females. 

NUMBER OF FEMALES, 1907 TO 1915. 

In 1907 the 82,800 adult females of 1906 added to the 16,200 2-year- 
old cows of that year would, with a 10 per cent mortality, give 89,100 
adult cows in 1907. The 19,500 yearling cows of 1906, suffering a 10 
per cent mortality, would give 17,550 2-year-old cows in 1907. The 
41,400 female pups, after withstanding a mortality of 50 per cent, 
would give 20,700 yearling cows for 1907. In the year 1907 44,550 
female pups would be born. 

In 1908, by the same methods of computation, allowing the same 
deductions for mortality, there would exist 95,985 adult cows, 18,630 
2-year-old cows, 22,275 yearling cows, and 47,992 female pups. 

In 1909 there would be present 103,154 adult cows, 20,048 2-3^ear- 
old cows, 23,996 yearling cows, and 51,577 female pups. 



48 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 

In 1910 there would be present 110,882 adult cows, 21,596 2-year- 
old cows. 25,788 vearlinjj' cows, and 55,411 female pups. 

In 1911 there would be 119,231 adult cows, 23,210 2-year-old cows, 
27,720 yearling- cows, and 59,()15 female pups. 

In 1912 there would be 128,197 adult cows, 24,948 2-year-old cows, 
29,807 yearling- cows, and 64,098 female pups. 

In 1913 there would be 137,831 adult cows, 2«),827 2-year-old cows, 
32,049 yearling cows, and 68,915 female pups. 

In 1914 there would be 148,193 adult cows, 28,845 2-year-old cows, 
34,457 yearling cows, and 74,096 female pups. 

In 1915 there would be 159,335 adult cows, 31,012 2- year-old cows, 
37,048 yearling- cows, and 79,667 female pups. 

B}^ the use of this method it can be seen that the breeding females, 
when suffering onl}^ from mortality from natural causes, will increase 
in the ten years covered by the period from 1905 to 1915 from 78,000 
to 159,335, a gain of over 100 per cent. Indeed, having in mind the 
experience of the seals on Robben Island, where, after practical exter- 
mination in 1853-54, they are stated to have repleted their breeding 
grounds by 1869, during a period of onl}^ fourteen years of complete 
rest (Steineger-, Report Fur-Seal Investigation Commission, pt. 4, 
p. 73), it is believed that the foregoing estimate is too consei'vative to 
show the actual increase that would occur on the cessation of pelagic 
sealing. By erring in this matter, however, on the ground of too 
great conservatism, we at least make sure of the increase here claimed. 

The number of females to be supplied with bulls in any given year 
consists of the adult fenralcs, as well as the virgin or 2-year-old cows 
coming on the rookeries for their initial impregnation. Using the com- 
putations in Table 1 (p. 58) as a basis, the numbers of females requiring 
bulls each year during the period in question will be as follows: 

1905 92,000 11909 123,202 11913 161,658 

1906 99,000 11910 132,478 I 1914 177,038 

1907 106,650 1911 142,44111915 190,347 

1908 114, 615 I 1912 153,145 1 

NUMBER OF BULLS KEQUIUED TO SERVE FEMALES. 

In the investigations of the Jordan Commission in 1896-97 the num- 
ber of bulls actually engaged with cows was found to bear the relation 
to the females of 1 to 30 — that is to say, each bull with cows was found 
to have on the average 30 cows in his harem. At that time there were 
thousands of idle and vicious bulls hanging around the mass of breed- 
ing cows unable to obtain consorts, but watching every chance to oust 
a harem master and take possession of his harem. An average harem, 
therefore, of 1 bull to 30 cows is considered a rational and natural 
allotment. 

Applying this ratio of 1 bull to 30 cows to the breeding cows which 
are shown by the foregoing estimate to be present on the islands dur- 
ing the next ten yeai's the number of bulls to be required for service 
will be as follows: . 



1905 3, 066 

1906 3,300 

1907 3, 555 

1908 3, 820 



1909 4,1061 1913 5,488 

1910 4,415|l914 5,901 

1911 4, 748 1915 6,345 

1912 5,104 I 



EEPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 49 

NUMBER OF BULLS THAT WILL BE PRESENT. 

It will next be necessary to compute the number of bulls that will 
be present on the islands during the period in question in the case of 
an entire cessation of pelagic sealing. Should the latter object be 
accomplished it would result in a greatly increased number of cows on 
the islands, and measures would have to be taken to so regulate the 
killing of bachelors on land as to provide the necessary number of 
bulls for this additional number of females. 

It can be shown, however, that these measures can be put into effect 
without an entire cessation of land killing during any one year. It 
must be remembered that the effect of a reservation of .young males 
can not at once be realized in an increase in bulls. A bull must be at 
least 6 years old — and should be 7 years old — before he can establish 
a holding on a rookery and act as a fully equipped rookery male. 
Previous to that time, while it has the capacity to serve females, a 
male lacks the stamina and courage necessary to hold a position on a 
rookery against all comers. If, for example, a number of 3-year-oId 
males should be reserved for breeding purposes in 1906, at least three 
years, and probabl}^ four years, must elapse before their presence 
would be noted on the rookeries. The full effect of a reservation of 
males for breeding, therefore, can not be full}' felt until four years 
thereafter. 

The reservation, in 1904, of 1,000 2-year-old bachelors and 1,000 
3-year-old bachelors will not be apparent on the rookeries until 1907, 
when the 1,000 S-^ear-olds released in the year mentioned will 
appear on the tianks of the breeding herd as B-j^ear-old half bulls. In 
1908 they will be full-grown bulls, and those of them that have 
escaped the effects of pelagic sealing and mortality' from natural 
causes will in that year be active harem masters. The 2-year-olds, 
1,000 in number, reserved in 1904, will be 6-3'ear-olds in 1908, and in 
the following year (1909) will become full rookery bulls. 

It is perfectly obvious that this increase can not be expedited by the 
immunizing from slaughter of a greater number of young males than 
would be required by the cows. If the herd's entire yield of young 
males were released in any given year, it would require from three to 
four years for them to mature, precisely as it would in the case of the 
reservation of a limited number. The entire yield of a year, if 
reserved, would result four years thereafter in flooding the rook- 
eries with a great mass of bulls, only a few of which would be 
required. The residue would represent merely economic waste, as 
their presence would be useless to the breeding females and their 
skins valueless for commercial purposes. They would be a source of 
danger alike to the herd and to its observers. The same object could 
be accomplished by the releasing of such number only as would be 
estimated to be required (with a safe margin for contingencies) and by 
killing the residue for skins at a time when such skins are commer- 
ciall}' valuable. 

In order to ascertain what effect a total cessation of killing on land 
for a period of ten years would have on the bachelor herd, I have 
constructed a table showing the approximate number of male seals of 
all ages, from pups to full-grown bulls, that would frequent the islands 
from 1905 to 1915, with no land killing whatsoever. 

H. Doc. 251, 59—2 4 



50 EEPORT ON THE ALASKAN EUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 

It may as well be stated in advance that this table shows beyond 
doubt the folly of a total cessation of killinj^. While the increase in 
bulls from bachelors released in 1905 will not be felt until the year 
1909, from that time on their numbers would increase so rajudly as to 
incumber tlio rookeries with thousands of belligerent bulls lor which 
there would be no cows. 

ESTIMAT?: OF BULLS WITH STOPPAGE OF LAND KILLING. 

In 1905 there were 1,899 adult bulls on the rookeries, with 1,535 
half bulls between the ages of 4 and 7 3"ears. There were, in addi- 
tion, approximately 1,980 3-3^ear-olds, 7,200 2-year-olds, 18,896 year- 
ling bachelors, and 39,000 male new-born pups. The tables of iiicrease 
in male life are constructed upon this basis. 

It has been mentioned that an}' reservation of young male life will 
not reach the rookeries until the expiration of the period necessary 
for them to grow into adult males. With this understanding, it can 
be seen that a reservation of 3-vear-olds will not reach the rookeries 
until 1909. 

During this interval between 1905 and 1909 the bulls already on the 
rookeries could look for recruits only from the 1,535 half bulls of 
1905 and from the 2,00() bachelors released for breeding purposes in 
1904 and 1905 in the proportion of l,0()(i 3-year-olds and 1,(»0»» 2-year- 
olds in each year. The 3-year-olds of 1904 would reach the full adult 
stage in 1908, although, as stated, many of them undou))tedly would serve 
cows in 19o7. From these half bulls, and from the reservations of 
young males alread}'^ mentioned, we might expect, in the contingency 
of a cessation of deep-sea killing, to have th.e supply of adult bulls 
maintained at its present status, but not increased during the interval 
between 1905 and 1909. While a slight increase in bulls might occur 
during this interval as the result of the reservations for breeding, it is 
not wise to hope for more than a maintenance of the herd of ])ulls in 
its present numbers until 1909. 

With these preliminary statements it will be necessary to go })ack' 
to the year 1905 and trace, step by step, the bachelors of that and the 
succeeding years to their arrival at the stage of breeding bull.'^. 

Allowing a deduction for natural mortalit}', it can be readily seen 
that the 3-year-olds of 1905 will be the 4-year-olds of 1906, and so on 
in the cases of the 2-3'ear-olds, yearlings, and nursing pups. That 
mortality, as already stated, has been estimated at 10 per cent in the 
cases of all classes of animals except new-born pups, which are believed 
to suffer a mortality of 50 per cent during the migration preceding 
their return to the islands as yearlings. 

With the application of this death rate, the young males of 1905 
would return in 1906 in the following numbers: 



Bulls 1,899 

6-year-old males. . . 

5-year-old males. . . 



4-year-old males... 1,782 1 -year-old males. .. 19,500 
3-year-old males. . . 6, 480 INlale pups 41, 400 



2-year-old males. . . 17, 007 

The birth I'ate for 1906 was previously determined at 82,800 pups, 
of which half, or 41,400, would be males. The l)irth rate for each 
year is added in these tables as it was found to exist in the table of 
breeding cows. 



KEPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 



51 



The males of 1906 would appear in 1907 in the following numbers, 
with the application of the death rate mentioned: 

Bulls 1, 899 I 4-year-old males. . . 5, 832 1-year-old males. . . 20, 700 

6-year-old males. . . [ 3-year-old males 15, 307 Male pups 44, 550 

5-year-old males 1, 604 I 2-year-old males 17, 550 

In 1908 there would be the following: 

Bulls 1, 899 i 4-year-old males. . . 13, 777 

6-year-old males. . . 1, 444 I 3-year-old males. . . 15, 795 
5-year-old males. . . 5, 249 | 2-year-old males. . . 18, 630 

We can see that, up to this time, no accessions to the class of breed- 
ing bulls hav^e been received from the young males released in 1905. 
The next year (1909) will show the Hrst graduates into the adult male 
class. 



l-vear-old males. . . 22, 275 
Male pups 47, 992 



Bulls, old 1,899 

Bulls, new 1,300 

6-year-old males 4, 725 



5-year-old males. . . 12,400 

4-year-old males 14,216 

3-vear-old males 16, 767 



2-year-old males. . . 20, 048 
1-year-old males. . . 23,996 
Male pups 51, 577 



In the " new bulls " of this year we see the 1,4-14: 6-year-olds of 1908. 
This is the 3-year-old class of 1905. The 4,725 6-3^ear-olds of this year 
were the 7,^00 2-}" ear-olds of 1905. From this point on the increase 
in bulls will be rapid, and so large as to make investigation of the 
rookeries a serious and dittieult matter. 

Following is shown the number of males that will be present in 1910: 



Bulls, old 2,790 

Bulls, new 4,253 

6-year-old males 11, 160 



5-year-old males. . . 12, 795 
4-year-old males. . . 15, 091 
3-year-old males. .. 18,044 



2-year-old males. . . 21, 597 
1 -year-old males... 25,788 
Male pups 55, 441 



In 1911 there will be a much greater increase in breeding bulls, as 
will be shown bv the followinsf: 



Bulls, old 6,339 

Bulls, new 10,044 

6-year-old males 11,516 



5-year-old males 13, 582 

4-year-old males 16, 240 

3-year-old males. . . 19, 438 



2-year-old males. . . 23, 210 
1 -year-old males... 27,720 
Male pups 59, 615 



In the new bulls of 1911, we find the new-born pups of 1905, w^hich 
have come up through successive stages without suffering any loss 
from land killing. The influx of over 10,000 bulls on the rookeries in 
one year changes the status of affairs there in that limited time from a 
practically normal condition to one of a large surplus of adult male 
life. From now on the increase in males will be all out of proportion 
to the needs of the herd. 

The number that will be present in 1912 follows: 



Bulls, old 14,734 

Bulls, new 10,365 

6-year-old males ... 12, 224 



5-year-old males 14,616 

4-vear-old males... 17,495 
3-year-old males... 20,889 



2-year-old males. . . 24, 948 
1-year-old males. . . 29, 807 
Male pups 64, 098 



As shown by the above figures we have in 1912 over 25,000 bulls. 
A reference to the table of the increase in cows (Table 1, p. 58) shows 
that of these only 5,104 would be required. The difference, 20,000, 
would be a surplus. As these bulls w^ere killable 2-year-olds in 1907, 
this surplus represents a waste of male life which at once demonstrates 
the absurdity of a total cessation of killing in 1907. 

This number of bulls is further increased in the following three 
years to a number so absolutely out of proportion to the size of the 
herd of cows as to need no special comment. The surplus in these 



52 



REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 



years represents the killable 2-year-olds of 19<)8, 1909, and 1910, 
respectiveh^ 



Bulls, old 

Bulls, nevv 

6-year-olcl males . . 
5-year-old males . . 
4-year-old males . . 



1913 



•22, 590 
10, 002 
13, 155 
15,746 
18, .SOI 



1914 



30, 233 

11, 840 
14, 172 
16,921 
20, 209 



1915 



38, 600 
12, 755 
15, 229 
IS, 189 
21,731 



3-year-old males 
2-year-old males 
1-year-old males 
Male pups 



1913 1914 



22, 454 
26, 827 
32, 049 
68, 915 



24, 145 
28, 845 
34, 457 
74,096 



1915 



25, 961 
31,012 
37,048 
79, 667 



The result of the suspension of killings on land during the years 
1909, 1910, and 1911 is here seen b}' the presence on the rookeries in 
1913, 1914, and 1915, respectively, of 32,592, 42,078, and ol,M55 bulls, 
an estimated proportion of bulls to cows of from 1 to 5 to 1 to 3. In 
actuality but a small percentage of these bulls will have cows, and the 
remainder would constitute a dense fringe of savage, idle bulls around 
the breeding mass, destructive alike to each other and to the cows and 
an absolute bar to careful enumeration of the herd. 



TRADE CONDITIONS AN ELEMENT. 

Unlike gold and gems, there is no intrinsic value in sealskins. Their 
present value is the result solely of their arbitrary selection by the 
makers of the world's fashions as the popular and correct fur. The 
persons who lix these fashions find their livelihood in the sale of the 
garments which the}^ make popular. It is obvious that no fur will be 
held popular if it is not produced in sufficient quantity to supply the 
•demands of the trade and to insure an adequate return for the trouble 
and expense necessary to place it in general demand. It is also obvious 
that should the supply of sealskins fail another fur would at once be 
popularized and the sealskin would be relegated to the class of cheap 
furs to which at one time it belonged. 

This contingency would have a direct bearing at once upon both the 
lessee and the lessor (the Government) of the sealing right. The 
lessee would be vitally affected by the great decrease in the market or 
selling price of its skins, in addition to suffering the loss incident to a 
total stoppage of its profits in the years during which it had no seal- 
skins to sell. The amount which the lessee now stands obligated to 
pay the Government for each skin ($10. 22^) is predicated entirely 
upon a high market value and the maintenance of that value during 
the period of the lease. To destro}' the supply of sealskins is to de- 
stroy the high market value which the sealskin now enjoys, and its 
destruction entails the inability of the lessee to pay the present royalty 
'on each skin shipped when killing is resumed and when enough skins 
are again taken to supply the market. The lessee in this event could 
afford to ship no skins from the islands, and the Government would 
lose the amount of its royalties on the skins and be left with the skins 
on its hands. 

To prove that sealskins have no intrinsic value and were to be 
bought in foiTiier years for little or nothing, it is only necessary to 
state that in 1870, the opening year of the tirst lease, the skins brought 
only about $5 each. In the sixties they are stated to have brought 
in China only about 12.50. Their present average market value is 
about |37. 



EEPOET ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 



53 



Previous to 1870 the world's suppl}^ of sealskins was precarious and 
irregular, and the fur occupied a minor position in fashionable use. 
After the lease in 1870 to the Alaska Commercial Company, by judi- 
cious manipulation and the assurance of a steady annual yield the fur 
was standardized as a fashionable article both in Europe and in this 
country, and has held that position since. 

TOTAL CESSATION OF LAND KILLING UNNECESSARY. 

Having shown the lack of wisdom in preserving all the males on the 
islands during any given period, and the injur}" which will be wrought, 
by a cessation of killing, to the market for sealskins, affecting alike 
the lessee and the Government, as well as to the herd itself, it can be 
demonstrated easily that more than an ample suppl}" of breeding bulls 
can be allowed the herd with a contemporaneous judicious killing of a 
certain number of surplus j^oung males. For this purpose another 
series of computations has been made, using, as heretofore, the num- 
ber of male seals of all classes found present in 1905, and following 
then year by year to 1915, allowing, as in former computations, a 50 
per cent death rate in new-born pups and a 10 per cent death rate in 
all other classes of seals. 

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1905. 



In 1905, as stated before, there were found 1,980 3-year-old bach- 
elors, 7.200 2-year-old bachelors, 18,896 yearling bachelors, and 39,000 
male pups, in addition to 1,899 bulls and 1,535 half bulls between 
the ages of 4 and 6 years. The problem is now to allow an ample 
supply of bulls without cutting off entirely the shipment of skins 
from the islands. It has been shown that any killable 3-year-olds 
released in 1905 would not mature into breeding bulls until 1909. 
'This is inevitable. No amount of abstention from killing will hasten 
the maturity of these animals. When the males released in 1905, 
however, once reach the breeding grounds, they will come in such num- 
bers as to almost at once overstock the herd with bulls. By antici- 
pating the volume of this surplus, or, in other words, by ascertaining 
as near as possible how many more bulls than are necessar}' for the 
herd would mature from a given year should all be allowed to reach 
maturity, a safe idea may be obtained of the number that may be killed 
that 3'ear. 

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1906. 

The number of males in 1905, above stated, with no pelagic killing, 
will bring to the islands in 1906, by the methods of computation out- 
lined, the following numbers: 



Bulls . . 


. . 1,899 


Half bulls 

6-year-old8 







5-vear-olds 

4-vear-olds 1,782 

3-year-olds 6,480 



2-year-olds 17,007 

1-year-olds 19,500 

Male pups 41,400 



The 1,980 3-year-olds of 1905 have passed into 1906 as 1,782 4-vear- 
olds. The 7,200 2-year-olds of 1905 have passed into 1906 as 6,480 
3-year-olds. In view of the deficiency in breeding bulls already exist- 
ing, all of these 3-year-olds should go untouched by the- club to act in 
future as breeders. The 18,896 yearlings of 1905 would produce 17,007 



54 EEPOET UN THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 

2-year-olcls, however, and from these 10,000 safely could be killed for 
skins, leaving 7,007 surviving-. 

It must be said, however, that this killino- must be conducted under 
strict regulation. To insui'e onh^ 2-year-olas being taken, the killings 
should be under the personal direction of the Government agents, and 
a prohibition enforced against the shipment from the islands of skins 
weighing more than 7 pounds or less than 5 pounds. 

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1907. 

With this killing of 10,000 2-year-olds in IDOH, and the application 
of the 10 per cent death rate to the remainder, there would be in 1907 
the follow ino-; 



Bulls 1,889 

6- year-olds 

5-vear-olds 1 , 604 



4-year-olds 5,832 

3-year-olds 6,300 

2-year-olds 17,550 



1 -year-olds 20,000 

Male pups 44, 450 



Having allowed 6,480 3 -year-old males to escape in 1906 for breeders, 
which is more than a sufficient number to be released each year, it is 
practicable to kill, in 1907, from the 6,300 3-year-olds of that year, 
2,500, leaving 3,800 to serve as breeders. This can be accomplished 
by the adoption of a regulation prohibiting the shipment from the 
islands of skins weighing over 8i pounds. 

From the 17,550 2-year-olds, 10,000 can safely be killed, leaving 
7,650 to represent the 3-year-old class the following year. 

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1908. 

With the killing of 10,000 2-year-olds and 2,500 3-year-olds in 1907, 
the number that would appear in 1908 would be as follows: 

4-year-olds 3, 420 

3-year-olds 6, 750 

5-year-olds 5, 249 2-year-olds 18, 630 

From the 3-year-olds of this year 2,500 could be killed, leaving 
4,250 to mature. From the 2-vear-olds 10,000 could be taken, leaving 
8,630, a total killing of 12,500 'skins. 

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1909. 



Bulls 1,889 

6-year-olds 1,444 



1-vear-olds 22,225 

Male pups 47,992 



There would appear in 1909 the following males: 



Bulls, old 1, 889 I 5-year-olds 3, 078 

Bulls, new 1, 300 4-year-olds 3, 725 



2-year-olds 20,003 

1 -year-olds 23,996 

Male pups 51,577 



6-year-olds 4, 725 \ 3-year-olds 7, 767 

We see here the first accession of bulls from the 3 -year-olds remain- 
ing at the close of the season of 1905. The seals released under the 
first year of the so-called "new regulations," together with the stop- 
page of sea killing, are looked upon to at least preserve the herd of 
bulls without decrease. We have also in this year a splendid class of 
over 4,000 6-year-olds that will serve cows wherever they can obtain 
them. 

From the 3-year-olds of this 3'ear 2,500 can safel}' be killed, leaving 
6,267 to pass this stage for breeders. From the 20,000 2-year-olds 
11,000 may be killed, leaving 9,000 for the 3-ye;u--old class of the ye&.v 
following. This makes a total killing for this 3'ear of 13,500, an 
increase over the preceding year of 1,000. 



REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 55 

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1910. 

In 1010 we would have the followino': 



Bulls, old 2,790 

Bulls, new 4,253 

6-year-olds 2,771 



5-year-olds 3,353 j 2-year-olds 21,597 

4-year-olds 4,741 1 1-year-olds 25,788 



3-year-olds 8,103 | Male pups 55,441 

We have here an accession of over 4,000 bulls in one year. These 
are the 3-,y ear-olds of 1906. In this one year the number of bulls 
received are sufficient to place the rookeries at once in a stable and 
norn)al condition as regards the proportion of bulls to cows. From 
this time on, with rational management of the killing on land and the 
continued abstention from sea killing, no scarcity of bulls will be 
encountered. 

From the 8,100 3-year-olds present this year 3,500 may safely be 
killed, an increase of 1,000 in this class of skins over the preceding 
year. From the 21,500 2-year-olds 12,500 may be killed, an increase 
over the preceding vear of 1,500. This would allow^ a total killing of 
16,000. 

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1911. 

In 1911 the number of male seals present on the islands would be 
as follows: 



Bulls, old 6,339 

Bulls, new 2,494 

6-year-olds 3,018 



5-year-olds 4, 267 I 2-year-olds 23,210 

4-year-olds 4, 143 ! 1-year-olds 27, 720 



3-year-olds 8, 188 i Male pups 59, 615 

In this year we w^ould have a surplus of 4,000 adult bulls above the 
number necessaiy to fertilize the cows at a normal ratio of 1 to 30. 
From the 8,000 3-year-olds we could kill 3,500, the same as in the pre- 
ceding year. From the 23,210 2-3^ear-olds we could kill 13,000, an 
increase of 500 over the previous j^ear. The quota of skins for this 
year would be 16,500. 

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1912. 

In 1912 the following number of seals would appear: 



Bulls, old 7, 950 

Bulls, new 2,717 

6-year-olds 3,841 



5-vear-olds 3,729 

4-year-olds 4,220 

3-year-olds 9,189 



2-vear-olds 24,948 

1 -year-olds 29,807 

Male pups 64, 098 



From the 9,189 3-3^ear-olds of this j^ear we could afford to kill 4,000, 
an increase in this class of skins of 5u0 over the preceding 3"ear, while 
from the 24,948 2-year-olds we w^ould be justitied in killing 14,000, an 
inci'ease of l.OOO ykins of this class ovei' 1911. and a total quota of 
skins of 18,000. 

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1913. 

The number of seals which would appear in 1913 under this arrange- 
ment of killintir would be as follows: 



Bulls, old 9,601 

Bulls, new .... 3, 457 

6-year-olds 3,357 



5-year-olds 3, 798 , 2-vear-olds 26, 827 

4-year-olds 4, 671 [ 1-year-olds 32,049 



3-year-olds 8, 854 j Male pups 68, 915 

From these 3-3"ear-olds 4,000 could be killed, as in the preceding- 
year. From the 26,827 2-year-olds, however, 15,000 skins may be 
taken, an increase of 1,000 over the preceding vear, and a total quota 
of skins of 19,000. 



56 REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1914. 



5-year-ol(ls 4,204 

4-vear-olds 3,369 

3-vear-olds 10,045 



2-year-olds 28,845 

1-year-olds 34,457 

Male pups 74, 096 



There, would appear in 11)14 the following number of male seals: 

Bulls, old 11,753 

Bulls, new 3,022 

6-year-olds 3,419 

The killino^ of 8-year-olds in this year can be increased from 4,000 
to 4,500, while that of tiie 2-year-olds can be raised to 16,500, an 
increase of 1,500. giving- a total quota of skins of i^l,000, 

NUMBER OF MALES IN 1915. 

In 1915, the last year covered by this computation, there would appear 
on the islands the following number of male seals: 



5-year-olds 3, 0;33 

4-year-olds 5, 531 

3-year-olds 11,111 



2-year-olds 31,012 

1-year-olds :^.7, 048 

IVIale pups 79, 667 



Bulls, old 13,568 

Bulls, new 3,078 

6-year-olds 3,784 

These final tigui'es show that, with a gradually increasing annual catch 
of l)achelors in the last ten 3'earS, during which a total of 16:4, OOO 
skins would have been taken, the number of active bulls on the islands 
would be raised to 16,646, of which only 6,800 would be required at 
the ratio of 1 to 30. This would demonstrate the futility of any abso- 
lute suspension of killing, and shows that with proper management 
enough skins can be taken to net a profit both to the Government and 
the lessee, while the herd at the same time can be supplied with thou- 
sands of bulls more than are necessary. The management of killing* 
along the lines indicated and the selection of the various classes of 
seals for killing are mere matters of detail and can be accomplished 
without ditticulty or friction. 

RATE OF INCREASE CONSERVATIVE. 

While the rate of increase shown by these computations insures a 
steady gain in the herd in the ten years in question, it is conservative 
enough to lead to the belief that, with pelagic sealing done away with, 
an even greater increase will be found. The history of Robben Island, 
in the Okhotsk Sea, shows that in the fourteen years from 1855 to 1869 
that rookery, after practically having been wiped out In* raiders, had 
reestablished itself in its original numbers, (Stejneger, Report Fur- 
Seal Investigation Commission, pt. 4, p. 73.) During this period it 
was disturbed neither by land killing of any description nor by pelagic 
hunters. 

Our own Pribilof Islands furnish an instance of recuperation of their 
own, which, though lacking in actual details, is striking enough 
when one considers the net results. Owing to promiscuous and 
wanton killing on land in the years following the discovery of the 
islands, during which females as well as males are said to have been 
killed, the herd on the Pribilofs was reduced in 1885 to a number 
which analogy fixes very closely as the number apparent there at the 
present da3^ After that year (1835), however, closed seasons were 
enforced, reservations were made of males for breeders, and females 
were exempted from slaughter — at least by regulation, if not, in all 
cases, in actual practice. The result of these corrective measures, as 
shown by the incomplete records left by the Russians, was a gradual 



EEPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 57 

increase in the number of skins taken until 1868. In the latter year 
alone, the first of the American occupation, over 248,000 skins were 
secured. 

The Pribilof Island rookeries, therefore, practically increased their 
numbers to the point of greatest expansion in thirty-three 3'ears under 
the uncertain management of the Russians. What it will be under 
rational management, in the light of the knowledge gained since the 
American occupation, remains to be shown. 

To sum up, it may be stated that the following main points are not 
susceptible of controversy: 

First. That seals will not increase until pelagic sealing is abolished. 

Second. That on the elimination of pelagic sealing they will increase 
at a comparatively rapid rate. 

Third. That during this period of increase, judicious killing of sur- 
pus bachelors on the islands not only will work no injur}' to tbe herd, 
but will be a positive benefit in restraining the increase of the non- 
productive class, the surplus of which will constitute only a detriment 
and a menace to the breeding females and will add no additional lives 
to the herd. 

Respectfully submitted. 

Walter I. Lembket, 
Agent in Charge of the Seal Fisheries. 

Hon, Edwin W. Sims, 

Solicitor of the Depai'tment of Commerce and Labor. 



58 



REPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES. 



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EEPORT ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAIi FISHERIES. 



59 



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